(January 24, 2005) -- Catalina Express has announced that starting Feb. 4, it will begin daily boat service from the Catalina Express Port at the Queen Mary, prompted by heavy storm silting that's blocked passage of Catalina Express vessels into the Catalina Landing terminal in downtown Long Beach.

Catalina Express is currently operating its Long Beach schedule from its port in San Pedro...and starting February 4th its Port at the Queen Mary will handle the regular published Catalina Landing Long Beach schedule. (San Pedro will also resume its normal San Pedro posted schedule of departures on Feb. 4.)

Catalina Express says the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers conducted a survey of depth soundings in the surrounding waterway at the entrance to the Landing Terminal and found that it has less than three feet of water in some areas and will require dredging to clear.

"Catalina Express continues to work closely with the City of Long Beach and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to resolve the problem," the company said in a written release, noting that a dredging schedule has not yet been established.

Greg Bombard, President of Catalina Express said in the release:

Parking is $10.00 per day at the Queen Mary location and Catalina Express said it "is contacting parking operations at the Queen Mary regarding temporary monthly parking" and "is also working to provide transport between the Landing and the Queen Mary locations."

Catalina Express said it "regrets any inconvenience to passengers and requests that travelers contact Catalina Express to reschedule trips and to obtain the latest information."