ENSENADA – Defying many naysayers who thought such a project stood little chance of being seriously considered, a proposal for a binational, cross-border ferry that would connect the ports of San Diego and Ensenada by sea, continues to move forward.

An executive level study commissioned by the Baja California state government has determined that such a project was feasible.

“An executive study determined the project to be feasible and authorized for a pilot study program that should begin taking place in the coming months,” said David Pérez Tejada Padilla, director of Binational Affairs for the Baja California government.

The idea behind the ferry is to provide an alternative for visitors from both the U.S. and Mexico to cross the border without driving, helping to alleviate traffic and long lines at the San Ysidro and Otay Mesa ports of entry.

“It would serve to reduce waiting times at the border as well as help reduce air pollution,” said Pérez Tejada.

Perez added that the U.S. port authorities have shown interest in the project and signed onto an agreement to pursue further evaluation of this border crossing alternative. He believes that this binational ferry would in of itself create a new type of attraction and would further improve tourism on both sides of the border.

He added that the agreement signed between the port of San Diego and the port of Ensenada guarantees that the project will continue to move forward.

Rosarito Beach could potentially be added as another stop if at some point in the future a port docking facility were to be built.

What type of ship / How long of a trip?

Baja California authorities have been saying that they expect such a trip by ferry to cover the 68 nautical miles separating San Diego and Ensenada in a little over 2 hours.

We have yet to see any official images of what such a ferry would look like but with a bit of research we found several ferry models available on the market today that could easily cover that distance in the two hours and fifteen minutes estimates being given.

One such company – Damen Services – offers a ferry model that appears to fit the bill for such a trip and could carry up to 445 passengers:

Many other models of ferries are available including several that are even much faster, with a few reaching nearly 6o knots max speed.

However before we get too excited and start planning a trip by ferry, let’s see how the pilot study program goes and whether or not there is sufficient interest to provide financial backing for such a venture.

Stay tuned…

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