Alcatraz Cruises Makes Waves with its Respect Our Planet and International Organization of Standardization Status

www.alcatrazcruises.com
Contact: Molly Blaisdell
925-300-7252
molly@hooklineandthinker.com

(San Francisco, CA — October 13, 2015) — Alcatraz Cruises is nearing the achievement of zero waste status in the year 2015. This accolade is determined by the company’s annual environmental verification and process management results, which are conducted by two international audit and consulting firms. The company’s 2014 recycling program audit results verified a solid 94% landfill diversion and recycling/compost rate in addition to the marked achievement of reaching 96% landfill diversion and recycling/compost rate during some of the calendar months. The company is on the path and striving to reach the achievement of zero waste status by making an instrumental move to 95% and upward for each and every calendar month for the year 2015. The verification audit for the 2015 data is slated for the first quarter of 2016. An integral part of the company’s mission and corporate philosophy, Alcatraz Cruises’ “Respect Our Planet “ (ROP) program supports the company’s distinction as one of the country’s most conscientious employers because of the commitment to respecting the crew of employees as well as the natural environment. According to Alcatraz Cruises’ General Manager & Vice President Scott Thornton, “The ‘Respect Our Planet’ Commitment to each and every employee, guest and stakeholder alike states that through our integrated health & safety, quality and environmental management systems, we strive to provide superior service and leave the planet a better place than when we began.”

Alcatraz Cruises’ “Respect Our Planet” initiative fosters an innovative corporate culture where we RESPECT OUR PLANET and will protect and conserve the natural resources and ecosystems on which our business depends. The company is committed to preventing pollution, conserving water and energy, reducing waste and educating guests and employees on environmental stewardship. Alcatraz Cruises seeks opportunities to innovate and partner with stakeholders that support the company’s commitment to the environment as well as vendors with green procurement standards and packaging. The company upholds their Respect Environmental Policy by making sustainability initiatives and advancements in each and every department. The list of the company’s “Green Facts” continues to grow with new initiatives added with regard to increasing energy efficiency; reducing fleet petroleum and consumption; supporting sustainable communities; and promoting environmentally responsible products and technologies. Alcatraz Cruises holds the high honor and designation of being the first National Park Service Ferry Concessionaire and member of the Passenger Vessel Association to be awarded the triple certified status of ISO Environment-14001, Quality-9001 and OHSAS Health & Safety 18001. The outside auditors recertify the company’s practices against the ISO standards annually as testimony to the improvements and innovations implemented continuously. The company has won numerous environmental awards for these environmental innovations, such as the Business Times Environmental Award for “Small Business Best Practices” and the Workboat Significant Boat Award.

In addition to the progressive corporate philosophy, Alcatraz Cruises launched the Hornblower Hybrid Fleet, which introduced the first hybrid ferry to the United States and San Francisco Bay in 2009. The vessels provide transportation to Alcatraz Island in accordance with their concession contract with the National Park Service. Since that time the remaining two primary vessels in the Alcatraz Cruises fleet have been hybridized, making Alcatraz Cruises the only passenger vessel company in North America with a fleet of hybrid vessels. The continuing development of marine industry hybridization, as well as hydrogen fuel cell technology, demonstrates Alcatraz Cruises’ commitment to innovation, marine conservation, environmental stewardship and sustainability.

According to Terry MacRae, CEO of Hornblower Cruises & Events (the parent company to Alcatraz Cruises),“The Hornblower Hybrid Fleet is an example of our company’s goal of becoming the greenest concessioner in the National Park Service. With this Hornblower Hybrid fleet, we are now being recognized as a model of environmental innovation in San Francisco as well as New York.”

Alcatraz Cruises’ Hybrid Fleet uses power generated by ten‐foot‐tall wind turbines and photovoltaic solar arrays covering the awning on the top decks. That power is converted and stored in battery banks that then power the navigation tools, lighting and other electronics on board the vessels. Excess power is stored in the main propulsion battery banks. In addition to solar panels and wind turbines, the Hornblower Hybrid Fleet has Tier 2 marine diesel engines. These cleaner, fuel‐efficient engines reduce the amount of diesel fuel used, minimize emissions and significantly reduce the company’s overall carbon footprint. The customized drive system allows the captain to monitor the energy needs of the vessel and select the most efficient power sources. For example, when the boat is idle at the dock the engines will shut off and the motors will run off of energy stored in the battery banks.

Alcatraz Cruises considered several different designs before selecting this particular system. Of greatest importance, was the need to build a system that maximized the weather patterns on San Francisco Bay. This vessel system has been designed to be modified as technologies are improved and/or refined.

Alcatraz Cruises offers daily round trips to Alcatraz Island as the concessioner of ferry service for the National Park Service. The contract for this service began in September 2006. Alcatraz Landing, the departure and return location, is located at Pier 33 on the Embarcadero, between Bay and Chestnut streets. Tickets can be purchased online at www.alcatrazcruises.com or by calling 415‐981‐ROCK (7625).

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Alcatraz Cruises is the National Park Service concessioner of ferry service to Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay. Alcatraz Cruises hosts nearly 1.5 million visitors annually. Alcatraz Cruises designed, built and operates the first hybrid ferry in the United States. The Hornblower Hybrid’s revolutionary design has reduced fuel consumption by 75% and has already begun to be implemented in other parts of the country. For more information visit: www.alcatrazcruises.com.

HORNBLOWER CRUISES & EVENTS ANNOUNCES NEW SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, MARINE OPERATIONS

www.hornblower.com
Contact: Molly Blaisdell
925-300-7252
mblaisdell@hornblower.com

(San Francisco, CA – September 2, 2015) — Hornblower Cruises & Events (HCE) has just named Gordon Loebl Senior Vice President, Marine Operations, according to Chairman and CEO Terry MacRae.

Loebl will be responsible for supporting Hornblower Cruises & Events’ multiple home ports; overseeing facilities, capital projects and associated budgets; establishing and maintaining relationships with regulatory agencies; directing the corporate engineering and project team; ensuring safety standards; participating in new business development; and leading efforts to develop and utilize new technology. In this hands on executive management position, Loebl’s focus will be on the development and growth of Marine Operations throughout the Hornblower group of companies.

“We are thrilled to have Gordon bring his experience and professionalism in the industry to Hornblower Cruises & Events. With our continued growth and visibility, our team will benefit from his deep contacts in the industry and its regulators,” according to MacRae.

Captain Loebl’s 28-year U.S. Coast Guard career comes with extensive experience working with the maritime industry. Most recently, he served as the Commander of Sector New York where he was charged with ensuring the safety, security and stewardship of the Port of New York and New Jersey as well as the Hudson River beyond Albany, NY. Prior to this position, Loebl was the Chief of Quality Assurance and Traveling Inspections at U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C. where he provided expert oversight, direction and technical advice on a full spectrum of maritime safety issues. Additionally, he was the Executive Assistant to the Federal On-Scene Coordinator (FOSC) during the Deepwater Horizon spill response in New Orleans, LA where he provided direct support and counsel to the FOSC for all phases of largest oil spill response in U.S. history (45,000+ people).

Loebl will be based out of the HCE Headquarters at Pier 3 in San Francisco, CA. He can be reached at gloebl@hornblower.com or (415) 635-2246.

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Hornblower Cruises & Events has been the leading charter yacht and public dining cruise operator headquartered in California for 35 years. The company operates over 70 vessels, including the three largest dining yachts on the West Coast and has ports in San Francisco, Berkeley, Sacramento, Long Beach, Newport Beach, Marina del Rey, San Diego and New York City. Two Hornblower subsidiary

Ten Percent – TV Listing. November 11 – December 9 2015

Ten Percent — LGBT-TV for Northern California

Wednesday, 7pm
Rebroadcast: Thursdays – Tuesday, 11:30am & 10:30pm
Saturdays & Sundays at 10:30pm on Comcast Hometown Network Channel 104 in Northern California.

www.comcasthometown.com

Episode # 295
Wednesday November 11, 7pm
Rebroadcast: Thursday — Tuesday, November 12 – 17; 11:30am & 10:30pm
Saturday & Sunday, November 14 & 15, 10:30pm

David Perry interviews Rick Welts, openly gay President of the national champion Golden State Warriors. Perry also speaks with Mark Burns, Executive Director of Homebridge, Inc.

Episode # 296
Wednesday November 18, 7pm
Rebroadcast: Thursday — Tuesday, November 19 – 24; 11:30am & 10:30pm
Saturday & Sunday, November 21 & 22, 10:30pm

David Perry chats with Andrea “Dre” Hernandez, a massage therapist challenge by legal blindness and albinoism David Perry also speaks with Viet Le about the inaugural SF International South East Asian Film Festival

Episode # 297
Wednesday November 25, 7pm
Rebroadcast: Thursday — Tuesday, November 26 – December 1, 11:30am && 10:30pm
Saturday && Sunday, November 28 & 29, 10:30pm

David Perry speaks with Laura Slattery, Executive Director of The Gubbio Project. Perry also welcomes “Cancer Warrior” Suzanne Agasi, founder of Registry for a Cause.

Episode # 298
Wednesday December 2, 7pm
Rebroadcast: Thursday — Tuesday, December 3 – 8, 11:30am && 10:30pm
Saturday && Sunday, December 5 & 6, 10:30pm

David Perry interviews Kat Cole of Detour Dance and Erin Mei-Ling Steuart of EmSpace Dance. David Perry also speaks with Greg Backstrom about the history-making “Curran Under Construction” theatrical series.

Episode # 299
Wednesday December 9, 7pm
Rebroadcast: Thursday — Tuesday, December 10 – 15, 11:30am && 10:30pm
Saturday && Sunday, December 12 & 13, 10:30pm

David Perry chats with Angel VanStark about transgender activism and LGBT awareness. Perry also welcomes Rosalyn Acosta, founder of EcoArts, discussing ‘endangered art’ around the globe.

Ten Percent is also available 24/7 through the “On Demand” Feature through your Comcast Cable Network. Choose “Get Local” and “Comcast Hometown” to access Ten Percent. Past shows may also be viewed online at www.comcasthometown.com.

Become a fan on Facebook: 10 Percent on Facebook

About 10 Percent

Comcast Hometown Network (CHN), Comcast’s regional cable network covering Northern and Central California, continues its commitment to quality original programming with Ten Percent, a weekly interview series that focuses on lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgender (LGBT) issues. The half-hour show, created and hosted by long-time San Francisco media professional David Perry, airs on Channel 104, Mondays – Thursdays at 11:30am & 8pm and is available to all Comcast digital cable customers throughout Northern and Central California. Each episode will then be available online at www.comcasthometown.com as well as on Comcast’s popular ON DEMAND platform, which is free to Comcast digital customers. To view Ten Percent ON DEMAND, Comcast Digital Cable customers can tune to Channel 1 on their Digital Cable lineup or press the ON DEMAND button on their remote control, then click on the “Get Local” section, then click on “Comcast Hometown.”

“I jokingly call the show ‘Charlie Rose for the LGBT world,” said David Perry, Producer/Host of Ten Percent. “We may be only ten percent of the general population, in round numbers, but our issues are one hundred percent front-and-center in today’s world. Whether it’s the fight for marriage equality or debates about gay clergy or the right to serve openly in uniform, our issues are reflective of the world at large.”

“David has a well-known and unique voice that bridges many communities,” said Jason Holmes, Executive Producer at Comcast Hometown Network. “David’s talents and the launch of Ten Percent further enhance Comcast’s commitment to our communities and Comcast Hometown Network’s compelling, community-based regional programming,”

“MAYOR LEE OFFERS SAFETY TIPS TO PROTECT TRICK-OR-TREATING FAMILIES THIS HALLOWEEN IN SAN FRANCISCO”

Mayor Reminds Drivers to Use Extra Caution to Help Keep Children Safe; Additional Parking Control Officers, Crossing Guards & Police Officers Will Be on Duty during Halloween Weekend

San Francisco, CA—Today Mayor Edwin M. Lee joined the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) and the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) to remind everyone this Halloween weekend to take extra caution while traveling on City streets to help ensure safety for families who are trick-or-treating and moving around San Francisco neighborhoods.

“I want everyone in San Francisco to have a fun and safe Halloween, and that means remembering that we all have a responsibility to look out for each other, drive more slowly and be cautious when crossing streets,” said Mayor Lee. “Drivers need to slow down and look out for bicyclists, pedestrians and our trick or treaters on our shared City streets and sidewalks this weekend.”

The City will provide extra parking control officers and crossing guards to support Halloween pedestrian safety, and the Police Department will deploy extra officers to patrol the streets for public safety.

“As we work to make our streets safer and more inviting for trick-or-treaters of all ages, everyone can take extra care this Halloween to help us achieve Vision Zero – our goal to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries,” said SFMTA Director of Transportation Ed Reiskin. “San Francisco is one of the most pedestrian-friendly cities in the country to celebrate Halloween, and every child, ghoul, and goblin should be able to roam our neighborhood streets safely. Drivers need to be especially aware of traveling at safe and appropriate speeds — particularly when it’s dark.”

“Halloween is all about children and fun,” said Police Chief Greg Suhr. “Let’s all commit to watching out for the little, and some not so little, kids that will be out and about trick or treating this year. Only by slowing down and paying attention as we drive about the City can we keep our children, who are having so much fun dressed as ‘this or that’, safe.”

As the sun sets earlier during the Fall, the risk of traffic injuries increases. Following these safety reminders can improve safety for everyone:

Drivers:

If you must drive, go slowly. Be alert and watch for children who may be lower and slower than adults. Consider walking, biking or taking public transit to your destination. Get to where you’re going without worrying about drinking and driving, and other dangerous conditions.

Parents and Guardians:

Join your children trick or treating.

Carry a flashlight or light sticks or wear reflective gear to increase your visibility to motorists.

Remind children to cross at intersections or marked cross walks. Walk, don’t run, and look all ways before crossing.

Wear costumes that are light in color to increase visibility. Masks should not obstruct your child’s vision.

As always: Inspect all candy and treats before you allow children to consume them. If any treats look as though the packaging has been opened or tampered with, throw them away.

In 2014, the City and County of San Francisco adopted Vision Zero as a policy, committing to ending traffic fatalities and severe injuries by 2024 by building safer streets, educating the public on traffic safety, enforcing traffic laws, and adopting policy changes that save lives. The various programs and initiatives lead by SFMTA to improve safety for children include lower speed limits around schools, more crossing guards, and traffic calming improvements.

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Francis Tsang | Chief Deputy Communications Director
Office of Mayor Edwin M. Lee
415.554.6467 | francis.tsang@sfgov.org