Ship Restoration and Maintenance

Maritime Museum San Diego, Ship Restoration & Maintenance

Staff and Volunteers have accomplished a great deal maintaining and restoring our legendary fleet while the Museum remains temporarily closed.

We are trying to navigate our way through this difficult period as best as we can so that we can emerge from the experience positioned to thrive. The circumstances are fluid, changes and new information present daily we try to keep track of governmental directives and comply with them to our best understanding, and we are prepared at adjust our strategy as rapidly as possible to accommodate any changes in the circumstances that beset us.

With 80% of the Museum staff laid off we are heavily dependent on the devoted efforts of our many volunteers who have turned to in this crisis to help take care of the ships, and they have accomplished an unprecedented amount of maintenance and restoration work through all this, all while adhering to stringent health and safety standards.

Varnishing on Star of India.

Scott Brown, preparing the yards for the lift.

Under the leadership of Director of Ship Operations, Jim Davis, volunteers can be seen high above crossing the topgallant & royal yards on Star of India

Maritime Museum of San Diego staff and volunteers working together in Star of India rigging, Jim Davis, Brett Barahura, Rex Burnett.

George Sutherland calling the crane commands from Embarcadero.

Sharon Klug, handling the tagline to secure, stabilize the crew working in Star rigging.

MMSD Volunteer Sail Crew handling tagline from Embarcadero, Fred Bast, John Walters, Rick Wilson, Craig Carney, George Sutherland (Helmet)

Volunteers Rick Wilson and Ann Morrison, their 90 foot view working aloft in Star’s rigging Sunday afternoon.

Long-time volunteer John Breen re-varnishing Star of India’s Poop deck rails

Volunteer Rick Cohan adding a fresh coat of paint to the Museum gate entrance to the 1898 Steam Ferry Berkeley.

Volunteer Burt Burley working on San Salvador topsails on McKinney deck dance floor.

Sneak Peek at the nearly completed HMS Surprise deck restoration project.

Long-time Volunteer David Fairbank working on Medea, been with the Maritime Museum of San Diego since before 1997.

About the Maritime Museum of San Diego
The Maritime Museum of San Diego experience includes admission to a world-class collection of historic sailing ships, steam-powered boats, and submarines, each offering entertaining and educational exhibits. The 501c3 non-profit Museum enjoys an international reputation for excellence in restoring, maintaining, and operating historic vessels including the world’s oldest active sailing ship, Star of India. Maritime Museum of San Diego is ranked as one of the nation’s top attractions offering self-guided tours, docent guided-group tours, tall ship charters, year round public events, educational programs, and a distinctive venue for corporate/private events. The Museum is open daily along Star of India Wharf at 1492 North Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101-3309.