Several hundred people toured the city's new ferry yesterday during an open house at the Aloha Tower, but it remains to be seen how many of these people will become riders.

The 72-foot, double-decked Melissa Ann is one of two 149-passenger ferries that will provide daily service from Kalaeloa to Aloha Tower. The maiden voyage of the Melissa Ann is scheduled for 5:30 this morning, but a second ferry, the Rachel Marie, has not been cleared for use and likely won't be available until next Monday.

Yesterday, the city docked the Melissa Ann at Pier 9 and invited the public to check out the vessel and ask its staff questions about the service. By the time the doors opened at 10 a.m., more than 50 people were in line to get a glimpse of the boat, and a steady flow of people climbed aboard the air-conditioned vessel throughout the day.

Because TheBoat takes no reservations, city officials don't know how many people will show up for the first cruise from Kalaeloa Harbor.

"It's just like TheBus. It's first come, first served," said Darin Mar, project manager. "We have no expectations. This is our initial phase of our water transportation option. The mayor is dedicated to provide transit options for commuters."

The one-year pilot program is being funded by $5 million in federal grants and is being operated by Hornblower Marine Services.

Makakilo resident Terry Visperas toured the Melissa Ann yesterday and said he likely will catch the ferry to work this morning. Visperas works a few blocks from Aloha Tower and said the ferry sounds like a good idea.

"We're just trying to find the fastest way here to Honolulu. It can get very frustrating at times," Visperas said. "We're really looking forward to it."

Visperas said it takes about an hour each morning to get to work — and this is in the express lane.

Waipi'o Gentry resident Jodi Leslie visited the ferry with her family to determine if TheBoat would be a better way for her 19-year-old daughter to get to work in town. But Leslie said it appears that her daughter, who catches TheBus to work, would have to backtrack to get to Kalaeloa Harbor.

"We didn't know where the starting point was," Leslie said. "It might take more effort to 'save time.' "

She said it may be a better idea for her daughter to catch the ferry in the afternoon and then get on one of the feeder buses to get home.

Kaimuki resident Mary Ono said she plans to catch the morning ferry that will return to Kalaeloa from Aloha Tower. Ono is a nurse practitioner who works in Kapolei.

"Even though the traffic isn't as bad as the people on the other side, I still thought this would be a good thing," Ono said. "For one, it would help the Earth, and two, it's about the journey, not just the destination."

Ono said she plans to ride her bicycle from her home to Aloha Tower and take the bike onto the ferry.

"I'm really looking forward to this. I think it's a great idea, and I hope that it catches on," Ono said.

Many who took the tour yesterday said they weren't going to catch the ferry but wanted to see what it was all about. Some showed up for the free cookies, beverages and balloons, while others were expecting a demonstration ride, which was not offered.

Several other people asked the staff about parking, because there will be insufficient stalls at Kalaeloa.

Passengers are being encouraged to take one of three feeder buses to the harbor or be dropped off. Mar said the city is negotiating with a private landowner to open a 30-stall park-and-ride lot near Kalaeloa Harbor, but that deal has not been completed.

The Melissa Ann yesterday was docked in plain view of the Hawaii Superferry, which remains tied up because of legal problems. Some of those visiting the city's vessel said it would be a good idea if both of the vessels could operate at the same time.

"It's really sad that the Superferry seems to be going down the drain. I was really looking forward to that," Ono said. "It would be good to see both of these things stay afloat."

For more information on TheBoat, go to www.trytheboat.com.

Reach Curtis Lum at culum@honoluluadvertiser.com.