Commuters and tourists looking to catch a ferry ride between San Francisco and Sausalito were met with bad news. The Golden Gate Ferry Service, which plays a vital role in the daily ebb and flow of bay traffic, was forced to shut down indefinitely due to a damaged pier. The disruption began on Friday, when a routine inspection uncovered a "structural compromise at the pier," leaving about 500 daily passengers in the lurch, reported SF Chronicle.

In the meantime, officials have scrambled to arrange buses to bridge the gap across the iconic Golden Gate, ensuring that people can quickly make their way to their destinations. "We apologize to our customers for the inconvenience," Golden Gate Ferry Services spokesperson Paolo Cosulich-Schwartz said, according to an interview with The Standard. As for the extent of the problem, the details remain murky. Still, the service has been suspended "in the interest of safety and out of an abundance of caution," he added.

This isn't the first time that structural issues have put a dent in the ferry service. History echoes, recalling March of 2021 when another emergency had halted the maritime connection for over three months. The need for emergency maintenance and repairs back then had led to a similar reliance on alternative transportation.

Riders looking to navigate the choppy waters of transit changes can check the bus schedule released by ferry officials instead of the boats. Departure times range from 4:20 p.m., with an estimated arrival in Sausalito at 4:50 p.m., to a 7:15 p.m. departure from San Francisco, promising to securely deliver passengers by 7:45 p.m. to Sausalito. These temporary measures, albeit less scenic than the ferry ride, are to ensure that the iconic cities across the bay's waters will still be connected.

As the region waits for updates, travelers from San Francisco and Sausalito will have to adjust to the temporary rhythms of bus engines replacing the usual ferry horns. For those yearning for the resumption of their nautical commutes, the message from ferry officials is to "Stay tuned for updates," as stated on their social media.

Rider Alert 4/19 GGFerry Sausalito, due to an issue that was discovered at the Sausalito pier during a routine inspection, all service between San Francisco & Sausalito is SUSPENDED until further notice. Stay tuned for updates.

— Golden Gate Ferry (@GoldenGateFerry) April 19, 2024