Educational Tall Ship Matthew Turner Makes Port Call in Pillar Point
Brigantine Matthew Turner, a purpose-built brigantine with a home port of Sausalito, made its first port call to Half Moon Bay in at least three years this past week. Matthew Turner is a tall ship designed after the ship Galilee, which was built in the late 1800’s by the ship designer and builder Matthew Turner. She is operated by Call of the Sea, a 501(c)3 nonprofit with the mission of providing inclusive and equitable access to on-the-water science-based educational programs that foster the connection to watersheds, ocean environments & nautical heritage. The iconic yards of her square sails could be seen in the outer harbor of Pillar Point starting Wednesday afternoon until she departed Friday morning. Matthew Turner was conducting a five-day educational voyage with seven students aboard. Matthew Turner came to the “Coastside,” as locals know it, after spending one night anchored at the Sausalito waterfront and another in Drakes’ Bay. Shortly after nightfall, the Pillar Point Harbor Patrol came over to offer the visitors a warm welcome. “It is a thrill to see the Matthew Turner lying at anchor in our gem of a harbor. Not only is it rare to see the brigantine rig but knowing the work that true shipwrights accomplished in building Matthew Turner, humbles and inspires. We welcome the Matthew Turner to Pillar Point Harbor,” expressed Pillar Point Harbor Master Chris Tibbe.
This voyage marks the farthest Matthew Turner has traveled, in terms of time and distance, since facing propulsion issues with her hybrid-electric system in 2023. On board, students stood both sailing and educational watches. Educational lessons included a talk about the history of the Bay Area, a plankton trawl, and of course, whale watching – as more than two dozen whales, including gray whales and humpbacks, could be spied off various points off of the boat. As far as sailing, students settled into shipboard routines, including standing watch, helming, tying knots, navigation, hauling on lines to raise sails, checking bilges, and even laying aloft. In the evenings, students had the opportunity to exercise their creative sides, singing shanties, sketching scenes from the day, and working leather. Throughout these activities, students built their confidence, curiosity, teamwork, and resilience. Not all the students’ time was spent aboard the ship, however. Thursday offered an excursion to shore. The students and crew were thankful for the hospitality of Half Moon Bay Yacht Club, which lent the voyagers the use of the floating dock and buckets for their next adventure: tidepooling. At the tide pools, students were encouraged to think about the challenges of organisms living in the intertidal zone and the adaptations they have developed to survive. Next up was a walk to town, where the Half Moon Bay Salt Water Taffy Co. helped satisfy sweet tooths and Mavericks Surf Company indulged the imagination of potential future surfers. Later, Harbor Patrol returned to remind their visitors of their offer of showers. After four days of conserving on-board water, the students were eager to avail themselves of the harbor’s amenities and were curious to learn more about the officers’ role on the waterfront.
Prior to their arrival in HMB, the students also had the opportunity to launch kayaks while Matthew Turner was anchored in Drake’s Bay. The crew and staff behind the Matthew Turner are excited for this visit to be the first of many to Half Moon Bay after facing propulsion challenges in 2023. “This [was] my first time bringing Mathew Turner into Half Moon Bay. I have always thought that this is an ideal anchorage, particular when the weather is clear and the mountains are visible as you approach. Our sail south from Drakes Bay was the longest passage we have made to date. This was day three of a five-day youth voyage. Being greeted by the Half Moon Bay Yacht Club and the hospitalit extended by them and the Harbormaster really made us feel welcome. We will be back!,”reflected Capt. Michael Rogers, Director of Vessel Operations at Call of the Sea and Captain of Matthew Turner. As Call of the Sea looks to expand its overnight offerings and impact beyond its home port of Sausalito, Matthew Turner crew and Coastside residents alike look forward to Matthew Turner’s return to Half Moon Bay.
