Overstaying His Welcome

A man identified by the San Francisco Chronicle as Bryan Pennington has anchored his 30-something-ft trimaran at Aquatic Park Cove for over 100 days, overstaying his welcome and triggering action by law enforcement. "He has been arrested, cited, and has gone to court," said Lynn Cullivan, a management assistant at the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. According to the Chronicle, Pennington, who described himself as a disabled veteran, "has pleaded not guilty to three counts of violating a permit requirement, each punishable by six months in jail and a $5,000 fine."

As many sailors know, those wishing to drop the hook at Aquatic Park can obtain a permit for $5 a night, and can stay in five-consecutive-night blocks for up to 30 nights a year. Needless to say, Pennington is a little outside the five- or even 30-day window, and never had a permit, according to Cullivan. There have also been accusations that the trimaran, which reportedly has no holding tank, has been dumping human waste into the Cove. "To my knowledge, no one has witnessed him dumping," Cullivan said. "Some people said they have smelled it, and I have heard that it occurred."

Yesterday, we met up with Meeka Toner, a local swimmer who was just coming out of the water. "I’ve heard that he’s dumping his waste in the Cove." The Chronicle reported that people saw "Pennington dump buckets of waste overboard" and said that when boarded by the Coast Guard, officers found buckets of human waste.

"He’s been here for a couple of months," Toner went on to say. "One time when I was swimming past the boat, through the corner of my eye I noticed somebody, and when heard me, he ducked and hid," Toner said. "I thought, ‘that was weird.’ I’ve seen him come up on the beach a bunch of times." The Chronicle also reported that swimmers said they were threatened by Pennington when they encountered him on shore, and that he was convicted of misdemeanor battery on two harbor patrol officers in Santa Barbara — the conviction was overturned on a technicality by the California Supreme Court. 

In addition to permitting and poop issues, the trimaran is anchored just inside Aquatic Park Cove’s ‘swimming lanes’, which is perhaps the most contentious and egregious affront to the community — the Cove is the Bay Area’s most popular open-water swimming destination. "And what he’s done is parked himself in the middle of the lanes, where people have been swimming for years," Toner said. The lanes — located just inside a line of 5-mph buoys — have become especially relevant after a spate of sea lion attacks in December and January. Needless to say, people aren’t too pleased with where the trimaran chose to anchor, "so they graffitied his boat on both sides," Toner said with the message: "Move the Boat."

The Park’s Cullivan expressed a concern likely shared by many sailors who enjoy the phenomenally cheap and incredibly scenic Cove. "I feel bad that somebody is making it hard for other people to enjoy the area." We will keep you updated in the ongoing saga of the overstayed multihull. And as always, we’d like to hear your thoughts.

This story has been updated.