Two Harbors pier reopened

Authorities have reopened a pier on Santa Catalina Island nearly one month after a 127-foot ferryboat crashed into it.

But a 30-foot section of the Two Harbors pier remains roped off and likely won’t be repaired until the end of the year, when the entire pier is scheduled for renovation, says Harbormaster Doug Oudin.

“We’re fortunate, according to the engineers, that it was a wooden pier,” Oudin said. “If it had been made of concrete, it would have shattered and we wouldn’t have a pier standing right now.”

A ferry operated by Catalina Classic Cruises struck the pier, injuring two of 200 passengers, when a mechanical failure caused the boat to spin as its captain prepared to dock.

Scott Doggett