Chula Vista's 'Bill of Rights' Schooner Granted Temporary Reprieve

Negotiations continue as community rallies to save historic tall ship's educational programs.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 9:33pm

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The 137-foot 'Bill of Rights' schooner, the official tall ship of Chula Vista, California, was facing eviction from its harbor home of over a decade. However, after a community outcry and social media pressure, the marina management has reversed course and agreed to continue discussions about long-term mooring options for the historic vessel.

Why it matters

The 'Bill of Rights' schooner is more than just a boat - it serves as an educational platform for teaching students ages 10 to 18 traditional sailing skills, navigation, and teamwork. It also provides training programs for U.S. Navy Sea Cadets. The ship's loss would be a major blow to the South Bay community.

The details

The termination of lease notice came from Safe Harbor Marina, which was recently acquired by Blackstone Infrastructure. The company has been working to redevelop marina properties across the country. However, the community backlash, including a petition demanding the marina reconsider, appears to have made an impact, leading the marina to reverse course and signal a willingness to continue discussions.

  • On March 6th, Safe Harbor Marina issued a termination of lease notice to the South Bayfront Sailing Association, which operates the 'Bill of Rights' schooner.
  • In a recent message, marina officials asked the organization to disregard the earlier termination notice and signaled a willingness to continue discussions over long-term mooring options.

The players

South Bayfront Sailing Association

The organization that runs the 'Bill of Rights' schooner, using the vessel to teach students traditional sailing skills, navigation, and teamwork, as well as provide training programs for U.S. Navy Sea Cadets.

Safe Harbor Marina

The marina that had issued a termination of lease notice to the South Bayfront Sailing Association, but has since reversed course and agreed to continue discussions about long-term mooring options for the 'Bill of Rights' schooner.

Blackstone Infrastructure

The company that acquired Safe Harbor Marina last year and has been working to redevelop marina properties across the country.

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What they’re saying

“We do have a lot of angels out there… thank you, thank you, thank you… whoever you are. This girl (the ship) is worth saving and restoring for an entire community.”

— Karen Merrill, Volunteer quartermaster

“They thought we were just a boat, and we're not. We're a community.”

— Susan Johnson, Program director

“We have more work to do and a little more discussions and negotiations. Let's use that phrase to bring them to full awareness of what we do here.”

— Don Johnson, Captain

What’s next

The South Bayfront Sailing Association and Safe Harbor Marina are continuing negotiations over the long-term mooring options for the 'Bill of Rights' schooner.

The takeaway

This story highlights the importance of community engagement and advocacy in preserving historic and educational assets like the 'Bill of Rights' schooner. The temporary reprieve demonstrates the power of grassroots efforts to raise awareness and influence decision-makers, even in the face of corporate redevelopment plans.