The Palace of Fine Arts is a monumental structure located in the Marina District of San Francisco, California. It was originally built for the 1915 Panama–Pacific International Exposition to exhibit works of art. Constructed from concrete and steel, the building was claimed to be fireproof. ### Construction and Renovation The Palace was reconstruc
Wreck of the tug "Caleb" (Pillar Point)
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Description
A World War II tugboat sank in Pillar Point Harbor, damaging local docks in 2022. Built in Florida in 1945 as Panameta, this 94-foot tug was used by the Navy in Alaska before heading to California. It has gone through several owners since then and was purchased by Jasper Danielson of San Mateo about 20 years ago. The tugboat Caleb now rests in about 14 feet of water in the outer harbor of Pillar Point.
History of the tug and its condition
The tug arrived at Pillar Point Harbor about six years ago in poor condition, according to port CEO Jim Pruett. According to the harbor's navigation rules, ships in distress can take refuge here in case of bad weather or technical problems. However, since arriving in the harbor, the ship has become detached from its moorings several times, damaging boats and tearing up anchorages. This resulted in significant costs for the county to move and anchor the boat, amounting to more than $54,000.
Removal of hazardous materials
The US Coast Guard ordered the removal of all hazardous materials from the vessel. Despite this, the owners anchored the tugboat at the working dock without permission, without completing the unloading of materials by the deadline. The Coast Guard then supervised the removal of hazardous materials, including light bulbs, grease and gasoline cans. The Harbor District paid Global Diving and Salvage $28,510 to purchase land-based gear and safely remove the vessel from the dock.
Attempts at anchoring and sinking
In April, after the owners again failed to respond to the county's request to move the vessel, it was tied to the outer harbor, away from the shipping channel. The first attempt at anchoring failed: the Caleb slipped out of the strong wind, washed ashore and was returned to the working dock. The next day, April 12, the boat was tied down again and anchored with a 3,000-pound concrete block. More than a month later, the ship sank and was partially flooded.
Spill Prevention Measures
There are reports of a light oily sheen caused by oil and grease residue that contractors failed to remove from the boat. The county placed two layers of booms around Caleb. One is an absorbent barrier to collect oil on the surface, and the other is a yellow “port boom” designed to contain spills. The county also ordered the installation of a 300-foot, stronger, larger "ocean boom" to surround the entire vessel.
Conclusion
The story of the tugboat Caleb in Pillar Point Harbor is an example of how older vessels can create problems for local authorities and require significant efforts to ensure safety and environmental protection. Despite the flooding, spill prevention measures help minimize potential harm to the harbor ecosystem.
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