Recent incidents involving both San Francisco and Seattle ferries have raised some thought provoking questions on how safe ferry travel really may be.  Although the issues in the two West Coast cities were very different - your safety hung in the balance for both situations.  We’re going to take a close look at these two ferry issues and let you judge for yourself.

San Francisco:

An Alcatraz-bound ferry boat struck large rocks on December 6th.  The crew was tested for both drugs and alcohol, but tested negative for both. The "Royal Prince" hit the rocks around 3pm, and both passengers and crew were safely removed from the ferry after the incident.  The Coast Guard combed the area for environmental damage with both boats and helicopters, but found none.  The Royal Prince ferry (photo above) is operated by the Red and White ferry company - one of two major ferry companies serving San Francisco since 1892. 

San Francisco’s Coast Guard has been criticized for a November accident that spilled 58,000 gallons of fuel after a cargo boat accident.  The November 7th crash closed both beaches and impacted fishing in San Francisco Bay. 

Seattle:

Three Port Townsend bound ferries were removed from service in November due to severe pitting on the hulls.  Ferry service to Port Townsend (near Seattle) was severely curtailed during that period.  The boats were deemed so damaged that repairs were not viable.  Temporary ferry service is being provided by private contractors until replacement boats can be permanently put into service.  During the ferry service break - businesses in Port Townsend were devastated.  Originally, a newer 144 car boat was planned - but was shelved due to traffic concerns in earlier years.  Approximate cost will be close to $64 million to put the new boats into service. 

I’m in Las Vegas for a conference of web publishers.   Las Vegas has to be one of the driest; most barren; and sometimes smoggy places you can imagine.  With all the focus on money and greed - I thought I’d try to see just how little environmental impact my vacation in Las Vegas could have.  Here are 5 ways I "left no footprint" in Las Vegas…  These methods worked on this trip - but they could be applied to almost any city — including Seattle or San Francisco even more easily.

1.)  I used public transit constantly.  Las Vegas is actually a very compact city for most of the hotels, restaurants, and shows you will visit.  Even more importantly - the huge number of people who come for conferences and conventions end up at the massive Las Vegas Convention Center.  The Las Vegas Monorail is incredible.  It’s cheap, convenient, and fast.  The people waiting for cabs are wasting time and spewing smog the world just doesn’t need.  Use public transit and the Las Vegas Monorail is world-class in its speed, efficiency, cost, and cleanliness.

2.)  I stayed in a hotel near public transit.  My hotel - Bally’s — was chosen specifically for its convenience to public transit (Las Vegas Monorail).  I spent a lot of time picking the hotel - and transit convenience was a top priority.  Bally’s is a major stop on the Monorail route - and also in easy walking distance of a lot of other cool hotels (like Bellagio).

3.)  I shared a cab from the airport and back to the airport.  By a little friendly encouragement - several other travelers were going exactly where I was — the Las Vegas Convention Center.  With a little organization - we saved money and environmental impact - by ride sharing.  Not only that - it was a fun way to make friends. 

4.)  I hang up my towels in the hotel bathroom.  Remember all those signs about the cost and energy to wash sheets and towels?  The funny thing on this is that the maids ignore what the signs say.  Even when you hang them up - they wash them anyways.  I tried at least.

5.)  Dinner and Entertainment - I ate at the adjoining Paris hotel.  That way I didn’t use any carbon emitting transport — even the monorail. 

It was a great and educational trip to Las Vegas.  If you visit here - or anywhere else - these are some clever ways to have fun; save money; and help our earth.

New Las Vegas hotels from MGM Grand are planning for a green footprint from the ground up and Reno hotels are getting greener by the day.