Historic Star of India Returns Home Along San Diego Embarcadero

Friday, 11 September 2009
Contact: Barbara Moreno (619) 686-6216

The Maritime Museum of San Diego has a lot to celebrate. Their flagship, the historic Star of India, returned home on September 11 after more than three weeks of scheduled maintenance at BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair and a mandatory U.S. Coast Guard inspection.

Museum staff hosted a “welcome home” celebration for the ship’s return to its berth on the Embarcadero in downtown San Diego at 1492 N. Harbor Drive, accompanied by music from the Navy band and cannon blasts. She returned the same way she left on August 18, via a helping tug from Pacific Tugboat Services, just around noon. On September 11 only, through 1 p.m., adults can get into the museum for the price of a child’s ticket, which is $8. Kids 12 and under get in free.

“Most of what’s been changed is below the waterline. People will say what’s different,” said Mark Montijo, Vice President of the Maritime Museum. The answer is plenty.

In the three and a half-week dry dock at BAE Systems, along the Port of San Diego’s Working Waterfront, the historic tall ship has undergone high-pressure washing, mild sandblasting, her mandatory 10-year Coast Guard inspection and two coats of Ceram-Kote, a special hi-tech ceramic/epoxy coating on her iron hull.

Robyn Gallant, director of marketing for the Maritime Museum, said the ship’s last coat of paint worked so well, it needed to be sandblasted off, as opposed to coming off more naturally through hydroblasting. That in turn, caused costs to go up to an estimated $250,000.

“We had expected her to return on September 7 but the additional repairs delayed her return until (September 11.) We are trying to create a very patriotic environment on this historic and somber occasion of September 11,” said Gallant.

The Star of India was launched when Abraham Lincoln was President 146 years ago and is the oldest active sailing ship in the world. The Maritime Museum of San Diego enjoys a worldwide reputation for excellence in restoring, maintaining and operating historic vessels.

Once the Star is gone, the sun will set for the Diligence’s duty as a dry dock after more than 50 years in service. Built in Seattle, she serviced anywhere from four to six vessels each year at BAE Systems. Before that, she was used by the Navy.

“The Star of India was the first vessel to go into (our other dry dock) the Pride of San Diego. And she’ll be the last vessel in the Diligence. So, I guess we’ve got a little history there with the Maritime Museum,” said Dennis Huddleston, Commercial Ship Superintendent for BAE Systems.

As for what’s next for the Diligence, she could either be sold or sunk in the ocean and turned into a living reef.  Two Port of San Diego tenants making history and another successful job along the Working Waterfront.

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