Blue & Gold Fleet began operating on San Francisco Bay when it launched its first Bay Cruise aboard the motorized vessel (M/V) Oski from PIER 39's West Marina on May 27, 1979. At the time, this Bay Cruise was the only tour on the bay to feature both the majestic Golden Gate and Oakland Bay Bridges. “Blue & Gold Fleet has been fully entrenched in the local spirit since its inception,” stated President of PIER 39 (and former President of Blue & Gold Fleet) Taylor Safford. “Blue & Gold Fleet was founded by Roger Murphy of Murphy Pacific Marine Salvage Company in conjunction with Warren Simmons, the developer/owner of PIER 39. Simmons was a University of California at Berkeley graduate. The original owner of our competition attended Stanford. There was a good, healthy rivalry of the schools' colors on the bay.” 

In 1981, Blue & Gold Fleet was acquired as part of the purchase of PIER 39 by Moor + South of Chicago, Illinois, the current owners. Throughout the 1980s, the Blue & Gold Fleet cruises grew in popularity and two new boats were added- the M/V Old Blue and M/V Golden Bear. The company also acquired a high-speed catamaran, the M/V Gold Rush, for whale watching trips along the California coastline up to Point Reyes. In 1987, Blue & Gold Fleet hit a milestone, surpassing two million passengers. 

In 1991, the company expanded to include the Alameda/Oakland commuter ferry service. Blue & Gold Fleet acquired the commuter ferry service to Vallejo in 1994 and a majority of assets of Crowley Maritime's Red and White Fleet in 1997.

“For more than 30 years, Blue & Gold Fleet has been honored to be an integral part of the San Francisco landscape providing cruises that showcase the breathtaking views of The City as well as providing daily ferry service to thousands of Bay Area commuters,” Safford comments. “Today Blue & Gold Fleet carries approximately 2.5 million passengers annually. We have grown significantly over the years and developed a strong presence on the San Francisco Waterfront, positioning the company well to move full steam ahead in the years to come.” 

The newest and most unique addition to Blue & Gold Fleet is RocketBoat, a 135-passenger speedboat that was unleashed on San Francisco Bay in April 2009. RocketBoat gives its passengers an exhilarating rush as they take in the spectacular views of the bay and the city skyline in a whole new way—through twists, turns and spirals. This 2800 horsepower vessel runs on a mixture of bio-diesel fuel. More information on RocketBoat can be found at rocketboatsf.com. 

Blue & Gold Fleet has received several environmental awards, including the California Governors' Environmental and Economic Achievement Award for Sustainability and the US Environmental Protection Agency Region 9 Environmental Achievement Award for the development and use of air emission control technology. Blue & Gold Fleet's newest vessel, the M/V Gemini, was recently built for the Water Emergency Transportation Authority and is currently operated by Blue & Gold on its Tiburon ferry service. The Gemini is the nation's most environmentally friendly ferry. “As the premier provider of ferry and water excursion services on San Francisco Bay, Blue & Gold Fleet takes our environmental responsibility seriously,” states Safford. “The company has been recognized as an environmental leader in the maritime industry.”

In addition to receiving environmental accolades, the company operates the Sausalito ferry service that was recently recognized as the second most picturesque ferry trip in the world by the Society of American Travel Writers. Both Blue & Gold Fleet and Golden Gate Transit District provide this ferry service from Sausalito to San Francisco. 

More information about Blue & Gold Fleet
Blue & Gold Fleet is the premier provider of ferry and water excursion services on San Francisco Bay, offering the famous one-hour Bay Cruise Adventure and new RocketBoat thrill ride along The City's waterfront. The company provides regular ferry service to Sausalito, Tiburon, Angel Island, Vallejo, Alameda and Oakland, and also offers motorcoach tours to some of the most picturesque sites in Northern California. More information can be found at: www.blueandgoldfleet.com. 

MEDIA INQUIRIES CONTACT

SUE MUZZIN / (415) 705-5541

ALISSA FISET / (415) 705-5562