January 31, 2014

Gordie Nash sailed his modified Santana 27 Arcadia with his wife Ruth Suzuki in the Three Bridge Fiasco and wrote the following letter.

It was my pleasure to be part of the 350+ sailboat race on January 25 known as the Three Bridge Fiasco. The weather was beautiful, sunny, and uncommonly warm for a winter's day. San Francisco Bay is an ideal playground for so many different water sports and commercial boats.

I must express my appreciation to everyone who participated in the many different water activities that took place on the Bay Saturday.

Three hundred and fifty sailboats from 20 to 50 feet long sailed slowly along
the San Francisco waterfront because the wind was light. There was a swimming event well patrolled by many rowing boats, kayaks and small outboard skiffs. There were the ever-present ferry boats moving in and out of the piers, there was even a very large ocean cruise ship, as well as three ocean-going container ships all entering San Francisco Bay all in the
three hours from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.

This led to many close encounters between different types of boats. Sailing, rowing, kayaks, power, commercial boats and swimmers all behaved themselves well. It was apparent that safe spacing and seamanship was given by all to enable everyone to play. Some thought others where getting
a little to close. It did appear that most everyone used common sense, respect for others and their good graces to adequately handle the close encounters professionally and safely.

San Francisco Bay is an unusually great body of water to play on. Many different water sports are all attracted to the San Francisco waterfront. Saturday showed that all these kind of crafts can get along.

My congratulations to all who gave consideration to "the other guy" so we could all be safe and enjoy the many different activities of San Francisco Bay.

– Gordie Nash, Arcadia