Foster City Sea Scout Ship 47 christened their new boat, the Nautilus on May 11, 2024. The vessel is a 26 foot Motor Whaleboat. The Motor Whaleboat was built in 1986 for the U.S.S. Pyro, which has been privately owed since retirement, and will now be used by Ship 47. The boat will be docked at the Coyote Point Marina, where generations of Sea Scouts will have new adventures from learning boat handling, navigation, and making lifelong friendships. The Rotary Club of Foster City charters Ship 47.
Previously, the Sea Scouts of Ship 47 focused on kayaking and paddle boarding on the lagoon. Skipper Josh Gilliland said that the Motor Whaleboat will open new opportunities for the Scouts. They can now learn about working on diesel engines and adventuring onto the Bay. The Sea Scouts look forward to participating with the local boating community for local events and service projects.
The new boat was christened by Skipper Gilliland and Boatswain Zoe E. Boatswain Zoe read a letter from Past National Sea Scout Commodore Ben Feril, who remarked that the “name Nautilus itself represented change and innovation,” highlighting the U.S.S. Nautilus (SSN 571) making the first undersea voyage to the North Pole and the 1870 classic Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. Also on hand for the Christening were District Commissioner Tom McDermott, Assistant Scout Executive of the Pacific Skyline Council, Ron Chang, Pacific Skyline Commodore Michael Marzano, Coyote Yacht Rear Commodore Gary Edwards, Coyote Yacht Membership Chair Jason Harvey, the Charter Organization Representative, Mark Watson, Ship Mate Deborah Bennett, and parents of Sea Scouts.
Sea Scouts BSA is organized to promote better citizenship and to improve members’ boating skills and knowledge through instruction and practice in water safety, boating skills, outdoor, social, and service experiences, and knowledge of our maritime heritage. Sea Scouting happens on, in and under the water.