USA: A Los Angeles man decided to invest in a ferry service after his wife missed out on a weekend getaway because she was stuck in traffic and was unable to get the last ferry.
Ron Hoffman and his wife have had several such experiences and finally decided to take matters into their own hands.
"Research told us that a third of Catalina visitors… found the drive to San Pedro or Long Beach ferries excessively time consuming and frustrating. Yet it is their only option," said Mr Hoffman.
"We saw a better way, and invested in a Marina Del Rey-based ferry service."
After their investment, Mr Hoffman also accepted the CEO position at Catalina-Marina Del Rey Flyer during its startup years.
After leasing ferries for three years, they decided to commission a passenger ferry specifically built to handle the Catalina channel smoothly.
"The new vessel, 'Marina Flyer', is the first of its kind, constructed of light but strong aerospace materials. This stable, new hydrofoil-assisted catamaran is fast, efficiently powered by waterjets," said Mr Hoffman.
Designed to store luggage on the main deck, rather than the hold, 'Marina Flyer's' passengers carry their luggage right onto and off the boat.
'Marina Flyer' is a high-speed catamaran ferry capable of carrying 149 passengers.