Star of India Makes Historic 'Voyage' for Dry Dock Maintenance

Wednesday, 19 August 2009
Contact: Dale Frost (619) 686-6222

Something is missing along the North Embarcadero. The Star of India, a waterfront icon and flagship of the Maritime Museum of San Diego, was towed on August 18 to BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair for refurbishing and inspections.

The oldest operational tall ship in the world, the U.S. Coast Guard requires the 146-year-old vessel to undergo out-of-water inspections every 10 years.

Tugboats gently maneuvered the 280-foot-long vessel away from the Embarcadero, towed it just south of the Coronado-San Diego Bridge and carefully eased it into the dry dock, Diligence.  It took approximately a dozen BAE Systems employees, including two divers, to get the ship safely into position.

The Star of India will remain there for approximately three weeks. The iron-hulled vessel will be blasted with sand and water to prepare it for a coating, known as “Ceramkote,” that is expected to prevent rust from attacking the hull.

"In the case of the Star, the seawater always wants to attack and erode the iron hull. Our job will be to clean the existing hull of all its growth from years past and prepare it for the new paint without disturbing any of the iron,” said Randy Butler, Program Manager for BAE Systems.

The maintenance is expected to cost $225,000.  Robyn Gallant, Marketing Director for the Maritime Museum said donations help keep the ship as well as the entire museum's fleet afloat.  "Without volunteers and donations, these ships would deteriorate. It's very important to do this maintenance and for people to continue to donate."

“We’re proud to be a part of this project,” said Randy Butler, Program Manager for BAE Systems. “Keeping the Star of India in its remarkable condition is a major undertaking. The Maritime Museum should be commended for the hard work they do.”

Due to the dry-docking, the Star of India will not sail this year. She is scheduled to sail across San Diego Bay and into the Pacific Ocean on November 13 and 14, 2010, maintaining her record as the oldest actively sailing square-rigged ship.

The effort is an example of the Port of San Diego’s Working Waterfront Group in action.