I first became acquainted with the MV Golden Gate shortly after August 15, 1970, when she first began her career as a ferryboat for the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District's new passenger ferry service from San Francisco to Sausalito.

MV Golden Gate at San Francisco Ferry Terminal - 12/29/2002

I enjoyed riding on her so much that even after I moved to Seattle, Washington (where I still enjoy riding the large auto ferries), I always found the time to take a trip or two to Sausalito whenever I journeyed to San Francisco.

I felt a little sad when I heard about the MV Golden Gate's last trip on March 26, 2004--even though she had been ferrying people between San Francisco and Sausalito for 34 years. Considering all the years I had enjoyed riding her, it was inevitable that I got attached to the old ferry, and it was hard to say goodbye. Many of the commuters who rode her over the years also felt the same -- even though the boat was starting to show a lot of rusty spots.

However, the MV Golden Gate does have a future. The Bridge District sold her to a tour company in San Diego, which will use her for whale-watching excursions.

Actually, this is the kind of work for which the Golden Gate was originally designed. She was operating as a newly-built excursion boat in San Diego for about 6 months -- as the MV Point Loma -- when the Golden Gate Bridge District purchased her for their ferry service.

I have heard that the Golden Gate did get her original name back.