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| OHCC LIVING | JUNE 2024 | 43 e Sailing Club has had a very busy April. Not only did we have 14 sailboats going out, but we also had several informative fun excursions enjoyed by some of our members. First, several members went whale watching. Departing from Mission Bay Marine the group went about 12 miles offshore where they witnessed three Fin whales feeding and sounding. Fin whales are the second largest mammals on Earth growing to 85 feet long and weighing more than 40 tons. One (pictured) gave us a wonderful show, but it was a juvenile and probably only 35 feet long. Following the excursion the group went to Coronado Island to explore the public docks and landing area as a potential spot for future "dock & dine" themed sails. It was a success. ere are three restaurants to choose from, plus ice cream stands, a pizza place and a coffee kiosk. It will be fun stop to make. Second, another group traveled to the deactivated San Onofre Nuclear power plant that was originally an 80/20 percent joint venture between Southern California Edison and SDGE. Due to nuclear rod failure, it was necessary to shutter the plant. Because liability for the failure was limited to the cost of the rods, there was no accessible funding for "clean-up" and reconstruction with new rods. Hence, a plan to dismantle the site was developed and implemented. Such a shame at a time when energy sourcing has become so critical. ird, the Sailing Club hosted a visiting docent, John Smajdek, from the San Diego Maritime Museum. While scheduled for an hour, John was with us for two hours giving us a detailed history of San Diego Bay's evolution including the landfill making of Shelter Island and Harbor Island from rocks and silt removed to deepen the bay to enable access by large ships. We learned that Ballast Point is more than just a beer. In fact, it is the spot where early commercial ships stopped to discharge and take on cargo. If new cargo was not available, rocks were loaded into the bilges to be used as ballast for stability at sea. We learned the history of the government's "revenue cutters", fast sailing ships used for interdiction to collect taxes on goods sold and we learned about Juan Cabrillo's boat, the San Salvador, which was built in Guatemala in the 17th century to explore the Pacific Coast including the discovery of San Diego Bay. Replicas of both boats are part of the Maritime Museum and are pictured here. May all our readers and fellow residents enjoy fair winds and following seas. Written by Commodore Skip Maniscalco, Edited by Kathy C. Maniscalco Sailing Club

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