Aurora Restoration Project Part 4: The Deal
by Christopher Wilson - June 25 2023
As we drove to his favorite nearby restaurant, I attempted to strike up a conversation. Although I wasn't particularly nervous, I stumbled over my words for some reason. I suppose I'm not exactly skilled at making small talk when there are more significant issues to address. The drive felt like an eternity despite it being brief.
I went the extra mile for this meeting, renting a decent car and dressing in business casual attire. Even though I knew little to nothing about large or small vessels, I would have to at least sound like I had a clue what I was doing. I was actually about to dive head first into the great unknown.
We settled down for dinner and delved into the topic of the ship. I kept my talking to a minimum and let him tell me what he thought I needed to know. He informed me that numerous individuals had shown interest in acquiring the vessel, yet none had been able to locate a suitable solution or location for her. Some were interested in simply scrapping the ship but that made no financial sense for the reason that it had to be towed to a suitable location to be dismantled and just the town would cost many times more than the asking price of the ship even at scrap value.
Neither of us knew anything at all about one another so I wanted him to play his cards first. I let him talk for a while and he told me his long and drawn out story. My first rule of a negotiation. Try your best to learn the other persons hand. Before I told him anything about myself I would listen to all he had to say.
He explained to me that he was a used marine dealer. He was in the business of buying and selling used marine equipment, from cranes to boats, and anything in between. He shared with me the interesting tale about how he acquired the ship in Alameda that the city had been struggling to get rid of for a couple of years. This ship had been left at a dock near Jack London Square, she had been broken into and ultimately become a shelter for homeless people and drug addicts who stripped many of the fixtures for scrap. As if that wasn't bad enough, during the rainy season, the ship would start to sink at the stern due to the leaking decks, creating a massive liability for the City of Alameda. They tried everything to get rid of it, but nothing seemed financially feasible. Eventually, Out of desperation the city would find a solution even if it wasn’t entirely to the letter of the law.
Later in our meeting he regaled me with a rather interesting tale of how he had acquired the ship, striking a deal with the city of Alameda to remove the vessel from their jurisdiction. His crew worked tirelessly to make her seaworthy enough for a tow, pumping excess water from the stern and fixing anything the Coast Guard had found an issue for a tow. Finally, after several weeks the Coast Guard would grant a tow permit.
The ship was towed to a small island deep in the California delta and tied up next to a large derelict ferry that was in bad condition. Over the next months he had tried everything he could think of to sell this ship but Unfortunately, despite his best efforts, the ship had remained unsold for the last eight months. Things were not looking good for a sale of the ship.
He began to share more of his intriguing story, I couldn't help but be captivated. However, it was time to get down to business and I was determined to share my ideas that didn’t involve me actually taking ownership of the vessel. I pitched a plan to turn the ship into a luxurious time share, without requiring any upfront costs or liabilities. To my delight, he had no objections and even praised the idea. And I still believe it's a brilliant concept to this day.
Envision yourself as the esteemed proprietor of a sumptuous cabin situated aboard a meticulously restored, privately-owned classic yacht, gliding gracefully along the breathtakingly beautiful west coast of North America. Imagine yourself stopping at exotic ports of call like enchanting Alaska and vibrant Mexico, where you can immerse yourself in the rich cultures and explore the awe-inspiring natural wonders of these captivating locales.
Once restored this magnificent vessel would be nothing short of a masterpiece, a true marvel of engineering and design, crafted with precision and passion to create a stunning work of art that stands out as the most magnificent yacht on the water. With its impeccable attention to detail and luxurious amenities, this yacht would be the embodiment of opulence, providing you with an unforgettable experience that you will cherish for years to come.
So, why settle for an ordinary vacation when you can embark on an extraordinary adventure aboard a fully restored and retrofitted privately owned classic mega yacht? Let it take you on a journey of a lifetime, where you can revel in the beauty of the seas and the wonders of the west coast, while indulging in the ultimate luxury and comfort.
The prospect of owning a ship was nothing short of thrilling. Yet, as I sat and listened to the man's warnings, I couldn't help but feel a sense of apprehension. After all, ships aren't typically just given away for little to nothing. I listened as he shared the challenges he was currently facing with the vessel, hoping to dissuade me from making the deal only after our brainstorming session yielded a few feasible ideas. But even as he spoke, my heart raced with excitement at the thought of saving this ship. Although I loved the idea of becoming the sole proprietor I didn’t feel like this was the right move at this time. I wanted him as a partner.
He was a private contractor with the critical task of moving a ship from Alameda to a remote island in the Delta, for which he was handsomely compensated saving Alameda a bunch of money and headache. However, according to him unforeseen circumstances arose, and the vessel ended up in the jurisdiction of State Lands, leading to serious consequences. The State Lands authorities were understandably irked by the situation and issued a stern warning, providing the him six months to rectify the issue and move the ship, by failing to do so he would be held legally accountable for his actions. This posed a daunting challenge that demanded immediate attention and action. I couldn’t believe my ears. He was paid by Alameda to remove the ship just to take her to an illegal location owned by the state. How could that happen? Was this man a Genius or something else?
Over the months he had scoured every corner of the delta in search of a safe haven for his ship, but couldn’t seem to find her a home. It was becoming more clear that he was in deep trouble, as anyone who is familiar with State Lands agency can attest to their unforgiving nature. His six-month tenure had ended two months ago, and the agency seemed eager to take swift action. As I pondered over his predicament, a thought struck me- Could I somehow use this to my advantage?
As we neared a critical stage of this meeting, a wave of apprehension washed over me, and I couldn't help but second-guess my abilities. It was as if I was venturing into dangerous and unknown territory. However, despite my extremely limited political experience, It seemed obvious that I needed to present the idea of setting up a meeting between myself the owner of the vessel and the State Lands Commission. No better way to gauge the situation at hand than to speak with the agency he seemed to fear most. I decided to present this idea to the ship owner. He didn’t sound very excited about a meeting with this agency but was willing to accompany me to the State Lands office as a possible means to an end of his problems.
I took great care to ensure that I was thoroughly prepared for the imminent meetings ahead. To begin with, I arranged a breakfast meeting with the ship owner to discuss and finalize our terms. I understood that this was a critical juncture and that reaching a solid agreement was paramount. Furthermore, I carefully analyzed my connections and knowledge to devise strategies that would help the owner resolve any issues with State Lands. By doing so, I could gain an upper hand in the upcoming negotiations. But in all actuality I was just winging it and hoping I didn’t walk out of this meeting looking like a complete fool. The following morning, I made a call to his State Lands contact to schedule a meeting. They were keen to hear my proposed plan, particularly since the owner had previously failed to fulfill his obligations to the agency. We set up the meeting for a few days out. I had time to investigate anything I thought might come up in the meeting.
Finally, the day of the meeting had arrived. Was I ready? Hell no, but I felt a sense of calm. State Lands had nothing on me personally. At this point for me this was just a game. If this didn’t work then I could just back out and go about life and know that I did my best. I rented a fancy car and dressed up in my best attire yet again. Some might say I had gone crazy, but for me, it felt like a challenge - one that I was determined to win. I was like a pirate who had caught a glimpse of his ship for the first time, and I was determined to figure out how to navigate through the challenges without money being the solution to everything. It was a giant puzzle that I was determined to solve.
As I sat down with the owner, the anticipation in the air was palpable. We were on the brink of a crucial meeting that could determine the fate of this magnificent vessel. Over breakfast, we delved into our negotiations, determined to reach a favorable outcome.
The owner expressed his eagerness to avoid any potential problems with the State, and I knew that it was up to me to lay all my cards on the table. With conviction in my voice, I proposed a deal that would potentially secure a new home for the ship and remove any State Lands obstacle that stood in our way.
The pause that followed my proposal was tense, but I held steadfast and waiting for him to process. And finally, the owner broke the silence with a nod of agreement. In that moment, I felt a surge of determination and inspiration - My initial goal was to secure more time in ships current position but I couldn’t tell him that.
He looked at me as if I were a godsend and we shook hands. I stood up and paid the breakfast tab and headed to the State Lands office just up the street.
I had not a clue what I was getting into. I never even heard of State Lands until this situation came up.
So, I'm in a situation where I know nothing about ships, I know nothing about State Land Politics, I don't have a clue where I would put a ship if I got it. I knew nothing.
Again,,,, What would your do?
As we entered the offices of State Lands, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. We waited in the cold, sterile waiting room for what felt like an eternity, accompanied only by an armed guard who watched us like a hawk. Finally, an older secretary lady appeared and motioned for us to follow her. Her expressionless face gave nothing away.
We were taken to a room with a large conference table and asked to sit down. The silence was deafening as we waited for the council of State Lands to arrive. When they finally did, I could feel their piercing gazes burning into us. They were all impeccably dressed in expensive business suits, exuding an air of power and authority.
The tension in the room was palpable, and we knew this meeting wasn't going to be a pleasant one. What would happen next?
