San Diego’s Historic Harbor Guide
For 82 years, Pilot served as San Diego’s chief pilot boat, guiding thousands of commercial vessels safely into and out of the bay. Launched in 1914 at a local shipyard, she was the first powered pilot boat in San Diego and remained in continuous service until 1996. Throughout her career, generations of harbor pilots braved all weather conditions aboard Pilot, ensuring the steady flow of cargo and passengers that fueled the city’s growth as a major maritime hub.
Beyond her role as a pilot craft, Pilot also contributed to national defense during World War II, serving as both a pilot and patrol boat under the Coast Guard. She earned six six-month service chevrons for her wartime duties. Today, she stands as one of the few surviving artifacts directly linked to San Diego’s maritime past, offering a tangible connection to the city’s century-long evolution as a global port.
Donated to the Maritime Museum of San Diego in 1996, Pilot was fully restored and now operates as a museum ship. Visitors can embark on tours of San Diego Bay, where she continues to showcase the working waterfront she once helped shape.
