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VIDEO and STAFF REPORT. From the San Mateo County Harbor District Commissioners meeting on Wednesday, June 15th, 2022 at 1:00pm by Zoom.
John Moren, Director of Operations, reports.
“We are working to take the necessary legal action to professionally remove the vessel. When it is removed, will most likely be floated and towed to a salvage facility for demo. The District must ensure we protect the rights of the owner and act within Constitutional/State requirements.
We are investigating all opportunities available to assist us with demo costs. We don’t yet have formal quotes for removal/demo.
Yes, would be great if SB 1065 moves forward.” ~ as of June 16th, 2022.
See also TrackBill for SB 1065 analyses
The History
From the Staff Report.
On July 8, 2017 staff observed that the 94’ Tug Vessel Caleb had entered the Harbor and anchored. The large vessel did not notify staff prior to its arrival, as would be expected from a professional captain of a vessel this size. The owner completed an “Anchor-Out Form” and told staff they intended to remain anchored in the Harbor long term, hoping to use the vessel assisting fishers in placing crab traps. The Director of Operations (DOO) contacted the owner multiple times explaining that it was believed unsafe for a vessel of this size to remain anchored in Pillar Point Harbor waters, as exposure to coastal storms could cause the vessel’s anchor to drag. Despite this warning, the owner believed that their vessel was safely anchored and refused to relocate to more protected waters in the Bay, as the DOO had suggested.
In October 2017, prior to winter storms, the DOO again requested the vessel re-locate to a safer anchorage. Regretfully, the owner irresponsibly moved the vessel to anchor off Surfers Beach. This anchorage location was even more exposed to bad weather and open seas. Therefore, for the safety of the crew and to protect the environment, the DOO told the owner they could return to the Harbor prior to any forecasted bad weather event. On October 22, 2017 the Caleb returned to anchor in the Harbor.
On November 8, 2017 the vessel drug anchor and drifted into four small vessels which were tied to District mooring balls. Two of the vessels suffered damage, as did one of the District owned moorings, fortunately nobody was injured. On November 10, 2017, the DOO again gave notice to the owner that it was unsafe for the Caleb to remain in the Harbor, which was ignored.
The USCG responded, inspected the vessel and issued an Administration Order requiring the owner to remove 1,891 gallons of oily bilge water and sludge from the bilge of the vessel. The USCG stated that the vessel owner complied, was in good condition and no further action was warranted. The vessel owner acquired a larger anchor, was convinced the vessel was now safe, supplied staff with current USCG Documentation and began paying the required anchorage fees.
On December 18, 2019, the vessel again drug anchor during a storm, causing another anchored vessel to become concerned about their own safety. Staff allowed the concerned vessel to move to a slip within the inner Harbor at no charge. The Caleb vessel owner moved the vessel to the end of Johnson Pier, resulting in multiple complaints from fishers, as the Caleb blocked commercial fishing hoist activity from taking place. The DOO responded and spoke to the Caleb Owners, again explaining that it was unsafe for a vessel of this size vessel to remain in the Harbor and requiring them to vacate the pier terminus so commercial fishing activities could resume. Instead of acting responsibly and moving the vessel to safe anchorage in the Bay, the owner again anchored in the Harbor.
On May 2, 2021, the Caleb once again drug anchor and drifted against the outer Harbor breakwater. The District GM issued the owner notice to vacate, as it had been repeatedly proven unsafe for a vessel of this size to anchor in the Harbor. This notice was ignored and the vessel remained.
On January 22, 2022, the Caleb again drug anchor and beached near West Trail. The owners were able to get the vessel free on a subsequent high tide, only to re-anchor the vessel in the Harbor.
On February 1, 2022, the District GM again issued notice requiring the Caleb to leave the Harbor by March 1, 2022, which was ignored.
On March 5, 2022 and on March 9, 2022, the vessel again was reported dragging anchor, which resulted in the District GM issuing another notice to vacate.
During the night on March 12, 2022, the owners of the vessel Caleb moved the vessel into the inner Harbor without permission and abandoned the vessel at the commercial fisher’s work dock, damaging the dock and preventing commercial fishing activities from occurring there. On March 21, 2022 the District GM formally noticed the Caleb owner that the vessel would be towed if it was not removed. This notice was ignored as well.
On March 23, 2022, the USCG responded and removed all hazardous materials from the vessel, including, but not limited to 2,086 gallons of oily water and 4 drums of hazardous chemicals.
On April 6, 2022, the District GM requested the owner inform the District of their plan to remove the vessel, which went unanswered.
On April 14, 2022, in an effort to protect the PPH inner Harbor docks and surrounding vessels, the District hired a professional salvage company to tow and anchor the vessel in the outer Harbor using a large concrete block and sufficient length chain.
On May 27, 2022, the neglected and abandoned vessel partially sank in the shallow water where it was anchored. Staff immediately responded, placed sufficient containment boom around the vessel and made all necessary notifications to regulatory authorities.
At present, attempts to contact the owners have been unsuccessful. Staff are continuing conversations with the District legal team, USCG and others to determine further action and potential funding alternatives to assist with the cost of vessel removal.
Aww “Caleb” the Harbor Tug Boat Finally Sinks in Pillar Point Harbor ~ Where is the Owner$?
PHOTO-ESSAY. From Pillar Point Harbor end of May, 2022.
The owner of the Caleb, Jasper Danielson, San Mateo, CA, acquired the tug in the 2000s (see Nav Source online below).
Staff Report 5/25/2022 Emergency Expenditure: Vessel Re-Relocation
On April 20, 2022, the board was notified of an emergency procurement in the amount of $28,510 to safely anchor the abandoned vessel named CALEB.
See April 20th, 2022 Staff Report attached:
“Without receiving permission from the Harbormaster, or any District staff, the captain of the 94’ tug vessel “Caleb” docked the vessel at the PPH Work Dock. The Work Dock is not designed to accommodate a vessel of this size and the dock sustained damage as a result. Staff unsuccessfully attempted to contact the “Caleb” owner to move the vessel. The USCG responded to the abandoned vessel and oversaw the removal of hazardous materials. For the safety of the docks, other tenant vessels, and to clear the dock for commercial fisher use, the General Manager entered into an agreement with Global Diving and Salvage, Inc. for an amount of $28,510 (see attached) to purchase appropriate sized ground tackle, have the vessel safely moved by a professional tug vessel, and professionally anchor the vessel in the outer harbor until the legal process takes place for final disposition. Emergency Expenditure Policy No. 4.3.3 allows the General Manager to make an emergency expenditure exceeding his/her authorized $25,000 procurement authority to address emergency concerns in the interest of health, welfare and safety.”
The first attempt, on April 11th, failed almost immediately and CALEB was returned to the work dock.
Global re-evaluated the initial anchoring plan and developed a new plan to safely anchor the CALEB in the outer harbor. See attachment.
On April 14, 2022, CALEB was re-anchored and has held, even when challenged by the recent heavy winds.
The total cost to relocate CALEB and safety anchor it in the outer harbor was $54,488.70 (including the original $28,510). See attached. Seventy-four present (74%) of the total cost ($40,399.10) was for equipment and supply.
[pdf-embedder url=”https://www.coastsidebuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/2022_05_25_Item_6_-Vessel_Re_Relocation_Staff_Report_Emer_Expen.pdf” title=”2022_05_25_Item_6_ Vessel_Re_Relocation_Staff_Report_Emer_Expen”]
Harbor Tug “Caleb” Parks Illegally, Damaging Fishing Dock at Pillar Point Harbor, Gets Towed to Outer Harbor for Disposition
VIDEO. From the San Mateo County Harbor District Commissioners meeting on Wednesday, April 18th, 2022 at 1:00pm by Zoom.
The owner of the Caleb, Jasper Danielson, San Mateo, CA, acquired the tug in the 2000s (new docs below).
Before being towed to outer Pillar Point harbor, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) removed all hazardous materials from the tug. The Bearcat towed Caleb to the outer harbor and it now on buoy awaiting disposition.
Photo by Cathy Taylor
Photo by Cathy Taylor
The History of the Caleb
NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive
Sassaba Class District Harbor Tug:
- Built by Gibbs Gas Engine Corp., Jacksonville, FL
- Laid down, 22 September 1944
- Launched, 27 February 1945
- Delivered to the Navy and placed in service, as Panameta (YTB-402), 08 June 1945
- Assigned to the 17th Naval District in Alaska, Naval Station Adak
- Reclassified District Harbor Tug, Medium YTM-402 in February 1962
- Assigned to Kodiak, AK, 1968-70
- Towed to Seattle for overhaul, early 1970s
- Placed out of service, date unknown
- Struck from the Naval Register, date unknown
- Final Disposition, sold for scrapping by the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service (DRMS), 01 July 1977
- Acquired by a local resident of Adak, AK and renamed Cindy Lee (ON 597271)
- Renamed Cindy, date unknown
- Acquired by Western Towboat, Seattle, WA, rebuilt with two diesels and renamed Ocean Mariner, date unknown
- Acquired by Salmon Tug and Barge Lines, Seattle, WA, renamed Caleb, date unknown
- Acquired by Brian Farcy, Ward Cove, AK, date unknown
- Acquired by Jasper Danielson, San Mateo, CA, 2000s
- Current Disposition, Active
Specifications:
Displacement 345 tons
Length 100′
Beam 26′
Draft 10′
Speed 12 kts.
Complement 14
Armament unknown
PropulsionCleveland 278A diesel enginesingle propeller, 1,200shp
| CLICK ON IMAGE FOR FULL SIZE IMAGE |
SIZE | IMAGE DESCRIPTION | SOURCE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panameta (YTB-402) | ||||
 140940212 |
614k | Panameta (YTB-402) underway off Adak, circa 1946. Photo courtesy Olen Dwain Hill. |
Benjamin Ayres | |
 140940213 |
63k | Crew of Panameta (YTB-402) at Pyramid Cove, Attu, Alaska, 1945-1946. Olen Dwain Hill is at left center, just above the crewman in the sailor’s hat. Photo courtesy Benjamin Ayres via National Association of Fleet Tug Sailors (NAFTS). |
Benjamin Ayres | |
 140940201 |
33k | Panameta (YTB-402) underway, date and location unknown. Photo, courtesy Mike Jones and National Association of Fleet Tug Sailors (NAFTS) |
Robert Hurst | |
 140940202 |
45k | Panameta (YTB-402) underway off her homeport of Attu, AK., circa 1945. Photo, courtesy Joe Surette and National Association of Fleet Tug Sailors (NAFTS) |
Robert Hurst | |
 140940203 |
34k | Panameta (YTB-402) underway, date and location unknown. Photo, courtesy either Mike Jones or Jim Walker and Paul Smith of US Navy Harbor Tug Boats |
Robert Hurst | |
 140940204 |
61k | Panameta (YTB-402) moored pierside, date and location unknown. Photo, courtesy either Mike Jones or Jim Walker and Paul Smith of US Navy Harbor Tug Boats |
Robert Hurst | |
 140940208 |
38k | Panameta (YTB-402) underway, date and location unknown. Photo, courtesy Paul Smith of US Navy Harbor Tug Boats |
Robert Hurst | |
 140940205 |
86k | Panameta (YTB-402) moored pierside, date and location unknown. Photo, courtesy either Mike Jones or Jim Walker and Paul Smith of US Navy Harbor Tug Boats |
Robert Hurst | |
 140940206 |
99k | Panameta (YTB-402) drydocked, date and location unknown. Photo, courtesy either Mike Jones or Jim Walker and Paul Smith of US Navy Harbor Tug Boats |
Robert Hurst | |
| Commercial Service | ||||
 140940209 |
34k | ex-Panameta (YTB-402) in commercial service as Ocean Mariner, date and location unknown. Photo by Dave Miner, courtesy tugboatinformation.com |
Robert Hurst | |
 140940210 |
50k | ex-Panameta (YTB-402) in commercial service as Caleb, date and location unknown. Photo by Ric Shrewsbury, courtesy tugboatinformation.com |
Robert Hurst | |
 140940211 |
35k | ex-Panameta (YTB-402) in commercial service as Caleb, date and location unknown. Photo by Ric Shrewsbury, courtesy tugboatinformation.com |
Robert Hurst | |
San Mateo County Harbor District Board Meetings ~ 3rd Wednesday @ 1:00pm
Watch remotely. Comments and questions by email.
Commission via the District’s website are considered public records and may be subject to disclosure and additional distribution pursuant to the Public Records Act and the Brown Act.
Board of Harbor Commissioners Contact Information:
To email the entire Harbor Commission, click here.
Virginia Chang Kiraly, President
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 650-730-3911
Nancy Reyering, Vice President, Secretary
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 650-331-0655
Tom Mattusch, Treasurer
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 650-619-0459
William Zemke, Commissioner
Edmundo Larenas, Commissioner
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 650-730-3810
District Office: 504 Avenue Alhambra, Ste. 200, El Granada, CA 94018
Mailing Address: PO Box 1449, El Granada, CA 94018
Phone: (650) 583-4400 Fax: (650) 583-4614
Pillar Point without the harbor.
Harbor District Board of Commissioners
The Harbor District is governed by a five-member Board of Harbor Commissioners, who were elected county-wide for staggered four-year terms. Beginning with the election in 2020, Commissioners will be elected by District, as was approved by the Board of Commissioners in 2018.
Following shows when each Commissioner’s term ends.
- Chang Kiraly, Mattusch, Zemke – 2025
- Larenas, Reyering – 2022
For information regarding Election procedures and deadlines, click this link to San Mateo County’s Shape the Future.
Commissioner Nancy Reyering
At the Regular Board meeting of January 15, 2020, Commissioner Nancy Reyering was voted in as President of the Harbor Board of Commissioners for the calendar year, 2020.
At a special meeting of the Harbor Board of Commissioners on September 19, 2019, Commissioner Reyering was elected to the office of Vice President in addition to her office of Secretary.. .
At the January 16, 2019 Regular Board meeting, Commissioner Reyering was elected to the position of Secretary by the majority of the Board.
Commissioner Nancy Reyering was elected to the San Mateo County Harbor Commission in November 2018.
Nancy is a lifelong peninsula resident. She graduated from Stanford University with degrees in Linguistics and French. During her professional career, she founded a property development and management company specializing in executive office complexes in Atherton, Menlo Park, and Redwood City. As a volunteer she has taught high school (AP French), served as VP at Stanford Professional Women Alumnae Association, and is currently a director of the Committee for Green Foothills.
Awards for Ms. Reyering’s work include a San Mateo County Sustainable Development Award, and Woodside Environmental Champion.
As a third generation Californian, and a sailor from a young age, Ms. Reyering has sailed out of almost every port in San Mateo County, and has lifetime interests in our coast and marinas. Nancy will work collaboratively with the public and fellow commissioners to ensure the mission statement of the Harbor District is met.
Commissioner Virginia Chang Kiraly
At the January 15, 2020 Regular Board meeting, Commissioner Chang Kiraly was voted in to the positions of both Vice President and Secretary of the Harbor Board of Commissioners.
Commissioner Chang Kiraly was elected as President of the Harbor Board of Commissioners at a special meeting on September 19, 2019. She was previously Board President in 2018.
At a special meeting on November 16, 2015, the Board of Commissioners interviewed six candidates seeking to fill the vacancy on the Board. Virginia Chang Kiraly was appointed by the Board to fill the vacancy, Commissioner Chang Kiraly ran for a four year term in 2016 and won, being elected to a four year term on the Harbor Board. She was re-elected to Vice President of the Board on January 18, 2017.
Virginia earned her B.A. in Government and Economics from the University of Texas at Austin. In 2007, she was appointed by Governor Schwarzenegger to the California Commission for Economic Development. She served on the San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury for two years from 2007-2009 and as Foreperson from 2008-2009. During her time on the Civil Grand Jury, she led an effort to connect public school fire alarms to first responders, such as fire departments (2008-2009); curb public employee pensions in San Mateo County cities (2008-2009); and discourage public agencies from using cash out re-funding of their general obligation bonds (2007-2008)– a practice that has since been deemed illegal in California.
Virginia has fifteen years of professional experience in corporate financial analysis, planning, and investments. She is a former Senior Director of the Nasdaq Stock Market and has worked at some of the country’s leading financial institutions.
She serves on the boards of the Menlo Park Fire Protection District, Silicon Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross, California State Parks Foundation, and Sequoia High School Education Foundation. She is the founder and President of Ring The Bell Fund, which was established in 2012 to advocate, educate, and raise funds for school fire alarms to be connected to first responders and for automatic sprinklers to be installed in schools. She is a member of the San Mateo County Community College District’s Measure G Parcel Tax Oversight Committee and the Sequoia Union High School District’s Career Technical Education Steering Committee. She is a guest lecturer on “Women & Management” at Notre Dame de Namur.
A daughter of Chinese immigrants, Virginia was born and raised in Austin, Texas. She and her husband, Ken, live in unincorporated West Menlo Park with their two sons.
Contact information for Virginia Chang Kiraly:
Commissioner Tom Mattusch
At the Regular Board meeting on January 15, 2020, Commissioner Tom Mattusch was once again voted in as Treasurer of the Harbor Board of Commissioners. Commissioner Mattusch has served as the Treasurer in 2018 and 2019.
Commissioner Tom Mattusch was first elected to the San Mateo County Harbor Commission in November 2014, and re-elected in November of 2016. He was elected as President of the Commission, re-elected for a 2nd term at the Board Meeting of January 18, 2017.
Captain Tom Mattusch is the owner/operator of the Huli Cat, a charterboat in Pillar Point Harbor. He has fished the West Coast since 1967. He fishes for salmon, rockfish, tuna, Dungeness crab, flatfish and Humboldt squid. Tom also participates in Nature Trips, Bird Watching, Whale Watching and ash scattering at sea. He was a Member of the CA DFW Salmon Stamp Committee, License Agent Advisory Committee, NOAA’s Sportfishing Action Team and is an Ambassador for DFW’s Fishing Passport Program. Tom was a Member of the Regional Working Groups for the Central and North Central Coast Region to assist in the creation of the network of marine reserves along the coast. Past Board Member of the Golden Gate Fishermans Association and the Fishery Enhancement and Research Foundation. He is currently on the Board of Coastside Fishing Club and assists the National Weather Service as a Marine Users Group member. Tom has collaborated with the PCFFA and Institute for Fisheries Research on research projects. In addition to charterboat activities Tom participates in fisheries research with NOAA/NMFS, The Nature Conservancy and has completed projects with Scripps, Point Reyes Bird Observatory and Moss Landing Marine Laboratories. He has participated in Exempted Fisheries Permit projects for chilipepper and other underutilized species. Tom has experience in healthcare operations management and an MBA in Management. A former competition freediver, underwater hockey player, Tom has worked out of Pillar Point Harbor since 1992.
Commissioner William Zemke
Commissioner Zemke was appointed to the position of Commissioner San Mateo County Harbor District, District 1 on November 3, 2020 for a term of four years. He has been a resident of South San Francisco since 1976 and has worked to improve the community as an appointed city official on various commissions as well as filling many volunteer positions.
Commissioner Zemke
Raised in Spokane Washington, he received a B.S. in Civil Engineering in 1973. Upon graduation he moved to California to take a position with Pacific Gas and Electric. Over a 38 year career he worked on generation planning and environmental and regulatory compliance activities, and received the Company’s Mielke award for Outstanding Community Services in 1996. He enjoys woodworking, gardening and other outdoor activities including hiking the diverse environments of San Mateo County’s shorlines, forests and hills.
Commissioner Edmundo Larenas
Commissioner Larenas was re-elected to his seat on the Harbor Board of Commissioners in November of 2018.
Commissioner Larenas was elected as Secretary of the Harbor Board of Commissioners at the Board Meeting of January 17, 2018.
Edmundo Larenas was re-elected to a four year seat on the San Mateo County Harbor Commission November 6, 2018. Commissioner Larenas was elected originally for a two year seat on the Commission November 2016.
Commissioner Larenas was voted to the position of Treasurer at the SMCHD Board Meeting of January 18, 2017.
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