The Schooner Bill of Rights has called Chula Vista, CA home for decades. In fact, she is the official tall ship of the city. Recently, we were notified that her home dock had decided to terminate our lease…and we have less than 3 months until the date they’ve decided we have to leave, July 4th. We are currently in the middle of an entire deck replacement and have programs and events scheduled the rest of the year. 

The Bill of Rights has been instrumental in thousands of people’s lives, between Sea Cadets, Boy Scouts, and sailors from around the world. We want the lease renewed so we can continue to be an accessible, contributing member of our local community and to the tall ship community as a whole, as well as finish our major projects. 

If you have known her personally, please share how she has affected you and why it was so important. We’d love to hear from you. 

And if you have the time and/or feel so inclined, you can send a letter or make a call to Josh Hester, Safe Harbor Regional Vice President, and other representatives of Chula Vista. The contacts and a sample are listed below. 

To find out more about us, check out WeSailTheDream.com.

Please, sign and save the Bill! 

Thank you in advance, 

The Crew of the Schooner Bill of Rights 

SAMPLE LETTER (edit and speak from the heart!)

From: [Your Name/Organization]
Date: [Current Date]
Subject: Keep the Schooner BILL OF RIGHTS in Chula Vista
 
Dear Safe Harbor Executive Leadership,
I am writing to highlight the immense cultural, educational, and community value provided bySouth Bayfront Sailing and the historic schooner BILL OF RIGHTS in Chula Vista. 

The Bill of Rights is more than just a vessel; it is a landmark. The Bill of Rights is the official tall ship of Chula Vista and has been a landmark in the harbor since 2013.

The programs and events provided by South Bayfront Sailing and The Bill of Rights  serves as a floating classroom, it offers youth programs that teach maritime history, seamanship, and teamwork—skills that are increasingly vital for the next generation of sailors.

The presence of a tall ship elevates the status of the Chula Vista waterfront, attracting maritime enthusiasts and tourists who contribute to the local economy.

By engaging the public in bay-side activities, South Bayfront Sailing fosters a deep-seated respect for the marine ecosystem, directly aligning with Safe Harbor’s sustainability goals.

The continued integration of South Bayfront Sailing within the Safe Harbor family is a testament to your vision for a diverse, inclusive, and historically rich waterfront. We look forward to seeing how Safe Harbor will continue to leverage this unique asset to benefit the residents of Chula Vista and the broader San Diego region.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title/Affiliation]

CONTACTS

Safe Harbor Marinas
Josh Hester (Regional Vice President):
Email: jhester@shmarinas.com
Phone: (619) 208-0530
Mailing Address: 955 Harbor Island Drive, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92101
Safe Harbor South Bay:
Mailing Address: 640 Marina Pkwy, Chula Vista, CA 91910

Port of San Diego
General Mailing Address: P.O. Box 120488, San Diego, CA 92112-0488
Administration Building Address: 3165 Pacific Highway, San Diego, CA 92101
Main Phone: (619) 686-6200
Customer Service Email: CustomerServiceCenter@portofsandiego.org

Board of Port Commissioners:
Ann Moore (Chair): amoore@portofsandiego.org
Frank Urtasun: furtasun@portofsandiego.org
Sid Voorakkara: svoorakkara@portofsandiego.org
Staff Contact: commissioner_services_staff@portofsandiego.org

City of Chula Vista
General Mailing Address: 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91910
Main Office Phone: (619) 691-5044

Mayor and Council Members:
John McCann (Mayor): jmccann@chulavistaca.gov
Carolina Chavez (District 1): District1@chulavistaca.gov
Jose Preciado (District 2): jpreciado@chulavistaca.gov
Michael Inzunza (District 3): minzunza@chulavistaca.gov
Cesar Fernandez (District 4): cfernandez@chulavistaca.gov

Corporate Mailing Addresses

Baxter Underwood,Chief Executive Officer
bunderwood@shmarinas.com
Timothy Sargent, Chief Operating Officer
tsargent@shmarinas.com
Brad Alesi, Chief Marketing Officer
balesi@shmarinas.com
Carolina Corral, Sr. Vice President
ccorral@shmarinas.com
Josh Hester, Regional Vice President
jhester@shmari

All Safe Harbor executives listed can be reached at the company’s primary headquarters:
Safe Harbor Marinas LLC
14785 Preston Road, Suite 975
Dallas, TX 75254