Brand-Spanking New San Francisco Bay Ferry -- the Cetus -- Stops in Humboldt Bay on its Maiden Voyage South

Brand-Spanking New San Francisco Bay Ferry — the Cetus — Stops in Humboldt Bay on its Maiden Voyage South

The Cetus, currently moored at Bonnie Gool dock. Photos: Andrew Goff.

The San Francisco Bay is getting a brand-new, world-class ferry soon. But Humboldt Bay got it first!

People along the Eureka Waterfront were gawking at about a quarter after four this afternoon as they watched the multiply-decked, 135-foot catamaran — clearly marked with the “San Francisco Bay Ferry” logo — float past the Boardwalk, appearing lost.

But a quick bit of Internet research shows that the Cetus is, in fact, on her maiden voyage from the Puget Sound shipyards where she was built, and is the second of a fleet of seven new, super-efficient ferries commissioned by the Bay Area’s Water Emergency Transportation Authority.

Earlier this year, upon the launch of the Cetus’s sister ship — Hydrus — the San Francisco Chronicle ran a story on the new boats, which can each carry 400 people, 50 bikes and will have a bar offering “seven kinds of beer and eight varieties of wine.” The Chron’s story, from March, mentions that the Cetus is expected to join up in July.

The Cetus has moored at the Bonnie Gool dock, and will be there for who knows how long. Probably not long! Go down there and gawk at it, if you’re so inclined.