well-known television commercial for a beer company at one of the ferries comprising the "Lancha de Cataño" boat fleet. In 1988, the "Lancha de Cataño" service stopped being the only ship service that took people on San Juan-area trips only, when a small company introduced cruise services around Northern San Juan; these services typically lasted one hour and were carried on luxury ships, but their popularity eventually faded and the "Lancha de Cataño" regained its status as the only ship service taking place exclusively around the San Juan area. On January 1, 2000, the Puerto Rican Government passed ownership of all legal passenger ship services to the Puerto Rican Maritime Transport Authority. While this was made mostly to enhance service between Culebra, Fajardo and Vieques, the deal also included the "Lancha de Cataño" service. In 2004, slightly more than 1,100,000 passengers were transported by the "Lancha de Cataño" service. It is estimated that the numbers of passengers transported by the service will remain around that area for the next few years. Features Ferries used by "La Lancha"s services are two-story ships, which are painted in white, with a peach and orange drawing that resembles a wave to the front. Occasionally, and under rough water conditions, passengers on the lower decks might be sprayed with water for a few seconds. No major accidents or incidents have been reported, however. Passengers who choose to ride on the boats' upper decks may stand up and hang by a fence, to look over at some touristic attractions and at ships located at the San Juan port. Round-trip services leave both Catano and San Juan's terminals every fifteen (15) minutes, and, very often, passengers on one "Lancha de Cataño" ship find themselves waving at passengers on another "Lancha de Cataño". Sometimes, the "Lancha de Catano" may take passengers on a trip around the El Morro Castle before arriving at its actual destination. Current prices stand at: Adults - $0.50 Kids (3-11) - $0.25 Elderly and the Disabled - $0.25 See also Culebra Ferry Vieques Ferry External links Puerto Rican Government's page on Lancha de Cataño's economical impact, in Spanish References Puerto Rico Department of Transportation and Public Works Ferries of Puerto Rico