Historic Tall Ship Faces Eviction in San Diego

Nonprofit operator says Blackstone-owned marina terminated lease without clear explanation

Mar. 24, 2026 at 4:14am

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The 137-foot schooner Bill of Rights, a replica tall ship that has served as a floating classroom in San Diego's South Bay for decades, has been ordered to vacate its berth by May 5 after the marina it's docked at was acquired by Blackstone Infrastructure. The nonprofit operator, the South Bayfront Sailing Association, says they were given no clear explanation for the termination of the lease.

Why it matters

The Bill of Rights has provided educational programs teaching seamanship, navigation, and teamwork to youth as young as 10 for years. Its eviction would disrupt these programs and remove a historic tall ship presence from the Chula Vista Harbor area.

The details

The 1971-built Bill of Rights has been docked in Chula Vista since 2013, hosting programs for Scouts, Navy Sea Cadets, ROTC, and at-risk youth. With the lease termination, the nonprofit operator says they have "nowhere to go" if the ship is forced to leave its current berth.

  • The Bill of Rights has been docked in Chula Vista since 2013.
  • Blackstone Infrastructure acquired the Safe Harbor Marina in 2025.
  • The nonprofit has been ordered to vacate the berth by May 5, 2026.

The players

South Bayfront Sailing Association

The nonprofit operator of the Bill of Rights tall ship, which has provided educational programs in the Chula Vista Harbor for decades.

Blackstone Infrastructure

The company that acquired the Safe Harbor Marina where the Bill of Rights is currently docked, and has terminated the lease for the tall ship.

Captain Don Johnson

A disabled Vietnam veteran who captains the Bill of Rights and says the ship primarily provides training for at-risk youth, Navy Sea Cadets, and ROTC.

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What they’re saying

“All tall ships from all over America know that Chula Vista exists—they're all writing letters. People are reaching out to elected officials and even contacting Blackstone directly.”

— Susan Johnson, South Bayfront Sailing Association

“We primarily do training for at-risk youth, US Navy Sea Cadets, and ROTC. Basically, to preserve maritime history. To provide education for youth.”

— Captain Don Johnson

What’s next

The nonprofit operator says they are optimistic the community response will keep the Bill of Rights from having to leave its longtime home, but they have no clear alternative location if the eviction proceeds as planned.

The takeaway

The potential loss of this historic tall ship and its educational programs highlights the challenges facing community-oriented maritime institutions as real estate changes hands, underscoring the need to preserve access to hands-on learning opportunities that connect youth to the region's nautical heritage.