Panel Urged to Block New Ferry Services

The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday urged state officials not to add as many as two new passenger ferries from Dana Point Harbor to Santa Catalina Island, saying the South County marina does not have adequate dock space or parking.

The California Public Utilities Commission is scheduled to decide in coming days whether to grant two new applications from firms wanting to make the run. If the commission grants the applications, the county would have no choice but to lease space to the operators--even though little is available.

County officials also have questioned whether the companies can be successful with a Dana Point operation, noting the number of visitors to Santa Catalina Island has remained static for the last two decades.

A boat operator tried a Dana Point-to-Avalon service in 1993 but closed down after only a few months.