Bar Pilots Christen New Boats

The San Francisco Bar Pilots, who have been safely guiding ships through San Francisco Bay since 1835, will soon christen two new 2000 Class Station Boats. These vessels, the San Francisco and the California, are outfitted with the latest technology, including environmentally friendly low exhaust emission engines and oil water separators. The vessels will transfer pilots safely to and from ships entering and leaving San Francisco Bay and provide quarters for the live aboard crew and pilots between assignments. The San Francisco Bar Pilots maintain two pilot station vessels, one of which is on duty outside the Golden Gate Bridge at all times and under all conditions.

The new San Francisco has already taken her place on station and the California is expected to join her before the end of May. After the arrival of the San Francisco the San Francisco Bar Pilots will donate the pilot vessel Drake to the California Maritime Academy, where she will be used to train seafarers of the future in vessel operations, maintenance and repair. When the new California joins her sister boat on station, the old San Francisco will be donated to the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI). MBARI will reconfigure the boat by changing the galley into a lab and the after deck into a remotely operated submarine vehicle handling area. She will be used for ocean research.

The christening reception is being held at the Pilot Station on May 10th from 2:00 to 5:00. California’s First Lady Sharon Davis and Diane Miller, former President of the California State Board of Pilot Commissioners, will christen our boats.

For additional information contact:

Ms. Pat Poston at (415)393-0464