Farallon Islands — A Voyage of Purpose and Discovery
Early on the morning of January 18, 2025, the sailing vessel Francesca, a 1999 Beneteau Oceanis 461, slipped away from Marina Village in Alameda, headed for the remote Farallon Islands. This wasn’t just any trip, this was a mission with a purpose. Francesca’s crew — myself, (skipper Larry Hall), co-skipper Harmon Shragge, Arzen Joy, John Daughters, Katie Blaesing, and Don Bauer — were ferrying vital supplies and personnel to one of the most pristine wildlife sanctuaries on the West Coast. Three researchers from Point Blue Conservation Science were to trade places: Allison Yan was joining the island’s researchers, while Amanda Reardan and Ben Peterson would be joining Francesca for the return to the mainland.
The day started early, with the crew gathering at 6:00 a.m. to load the vessel. It was a chilly, overcast morning, but spirits were high and Francesca cast off 45 minutes later. Light winds meant motorsailing, but the stunning sunrise over the Oakland-Alameda Estuary more than made up for it.
Thankfully, for our trip the weather was cooperative. Light winds of 5 to 7 knots and gentle rolling seas made for smooth sailing. Visibility stretched to 10 miles, and while the morning was cool and gray, the sun came out as we neared the islands. Temperatures stayed in the 50s — brisk, but manageable.
We reached the Devil’s Teeth (Farallones) by 11:45, well ahead of schedule. The first task was to secure Francesca to the lone mooring. To my surprise, this process went much more smoothly than I’d anticipated. Once the boat was safely tied up, the Farallon’s tender came out to meet us. The tender would ferry our crew and all their gear and provisions to the island. They would then reload Francesca with gear and waste to be brought back to the mainland.
As the tender neared the shore, we were greeted by a unique crane attached to the rocky shore and designed to hoist the small boat out of the water with occupants and gear still aboard. The cable goes taut and up you go until the crane swings you toward shore. Once we were safely on land, it became clear that this remote spot had strict protocols in place to protect its delicate ecosystem. We all underwent a necessary disinfection process, which included disinfecting our clothing, before being allowed to explore the island.
