Two Maritime Veterans Create Avalon Freight Services
Avalon Freight Services co-founded by Greg and Tim Bombard and Harley Franco, will debut freight service on Friday, April 1, 2016.
Currently scheduled to operate a minimum of five days a week, year round, the company will transport freight from Berth 95 in San Pedro and the Pebbly Beach freight facility in Avalon.
Franco states, “The collective experience of Harley Marine, a leading provider of maritime transportation services in the United States, including the largest tug boat operation in Los Angeles, and Greg Bombard, whose family has provided passenger transportation to the Mainland and other island services on the Island for nearly a century, has resulted in a company that will bring freight to island businesses and residents efficiently, safely and with a keen eye towards environmental protection.”
In addition to scouring the country seeking the best Landing Craft and Tug and Barge systems, the new company will provide the safest, fastest, quietest, most efficient, eco-friendly and state-of-the-art freight transportation to Catalina Island from the Mainland in the island’s history. All of AFS’s Marine vessels significantly exceed all state and federal standards for air quality emissions and efficiencies. Highlights of its services include:
- New mainland facility at Berth 95 in San Pedro, with easy freeway access and close proximity to other passenger arrivals and departures via ferry or helicopter
- New, secure warehouse
- New custom designed vessels, including state-of-the-art hull design
- New style of self propelled Landing Craft, named the Catalina Provider, that allows for transportation of freight or evacuation of residents that meet EPA Tier 3 emission standards
- The Landing Craft will be able to land without adverse environmental impact on any beach on the Island, to deliver anything from camp supplies to fire engines
- New Ramp Barge capable of carrying 30 percent more freight than the previous freight provider and fitted with a 90,000 gallon tank to transport potable water
- The Ramp Barge will work with the reliable tug Lucy Franco whose engines have been retrofit to achieve Tier 3 emissions standards
- Faster one way channel crossing time of 3 hours
- Guarantee of current freight tariff for two years
Because the lease on the Santa Catalina Island Company’s Avalon freight site was expiring at the end of March 2016, the company issued a Request for Proposal from various freight providers. Ultimately, in December of 2014, Avalon Freight Services was selected as the new tenant and immediately began to research, secure and build the company’s facilities and vessels to meet the April 1, 2016 launch date. Since that time AFS has invested significant resources to provide its new offerings. There have been ongoing discussions between the existing freight service provider, Catalina Freight Line, and Avalon Freight Services to ensure a smooth transition with no disruption in service, including Avalon Freight Services taking on the liability of returning cars from the Island.
Randy Herrel, CEO of the Santa Catalina Island Company, stated, “We are excited to commit to a ten year lease with AFS based on its fulfillment of all RFP requirements, including environmental leadership, safety, insurance, marine operations, financial wherewithal, integrity and the understanding and experience of working with the Public Utilities Commission. Maritime, transportation and logistics experience, and the safety record of Harley Franco and Greg Bombard, as well as the Bombard family’s love, appreciation and stewardship of the island, are the perfect combination to serve the island’s businesses and residents.”
Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe, states, “The expansion of freight services and capabilities with Avalon Freight Services is a boon for island businesses, residents and the LA Port. Our work with Catalina Express was instrumental in the safe evacuation of island residents during the 2007 brush fire in Avalon and we look forward to continuing to work with Greg Bombard and the entire Avalon Freight Services team.”
Avalon Freight services will operate at the San Pedro/Port of Los Angeles Warehouse from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Saturdays. The Pebbly Beach Warehouse will operate from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Saturday.