Robert Gray Charters offers The Maritime History Tour,overnight weekend voyages aboard the tugboat, the Robert Gray. The Gray can carry 12 passengers, 6 crew and is 120 feet in length with three decks. This is the only tour that explores San Francisco's maritime history, past and present. The history of industry and manufacturing on the Bay is a fascinating subject, but one as of yet, unexplored from a historical and empirical point of view from the decks of a vintage tugboat.

The itinerary of this maiden voyage starts from Pier 38 to Suisun Bay where the Gray anchors overnight beside the mothballed Reserve Fleet. The impressive sight of over 300 ships in moonlight and early morning light is an unique opportunity for photographers. Mid-morning the Gray makes its way to Mare Island where guests will tour the various facilities there. From here, passengers can depart or join the tour via Vallejo's Baylink ferry. Next port of call is in Richardson's Bay at the Army Corp. of Engineers dock for the night. Passengers are given a tour of the Bay model and Marin's Shipyard exhibit on the premises. Sunday morning is spent cruising past Angel Island to Richmond to explore the former site of Kaiser Shipyards at Marina Bay, the birthplace of "Rosie the Riveter". Continuing the exploration to Oakland's inner harbor to visit, AmNav tugboat operations, a division of Foss Maritime. The cruise continues around Alameda to the USS Hornet and lets passengers tour this famous aircraft carrier for the remaining afternoon. Returning in the early evening to Pier 38 to disembark.

The steel-hulled motor vessel, Robert Gray, was built for the United States Army Corps of Engineers in 1936 The vessel is scheduled for cruises to Alaska's Inside Passage in 2003. Accommodations are six charming cabins, (12 guests double occupancy) and capacity to sleep 6 to 8 crew. Cuisine served will be of the freshest local produce and seafood. The chef is a seasoned chef and will provide meals that will rival the attention of the guests. Sample menus of will be provided with reservation.

Maritime History Tour

Rate $ 625.00 Round Trip: Board at Pier 38, SF - Disembark at Pier 38, SF.

Rate $ 275.00 First Leg: SF to Mare Island: Board at Pier 38, SF - Disembark in Vallejo at the Ferry terminal.

Rate $ 375.00 Second Leg: Mare Island to SF: Board at Vallejo Ferry Terminal - Disembark at Pier 38, SF

Dates Maiden Voyage is August 2-4, August 16-18, Sept. 13-15, Sept. 27-29, Oct. 4-6.

Website: www.robertgraycharters.com