Rotting from the coast in: Sea Scouts displaced, waterfront in decline

August 28, 2025

San Francisco's waterfront infrastructure is deteriorating rapidly across multiple districts due to institutional neglect and inadequate maintenance. The Sea Scouts, a youth maritime leadership program with historical ties to the city, have been displaced from their historic wooden wharf at Aquatic Cove after the National Park Service (NPS) permanently removed it. Despite the Sea Scouts' previous efforts to maintain the wharf themselves since its construction in 1948-49, the NPS prohibited them from making repairs after claiming full jurisdiction in 2000.

Who is affected

Sea Scouts youth maritime leadership program
Youth participants in maritime activities
San Francisco's broader maritime community
Residents and visitors to San Francisco's waterfront areas
Communities across multiple districts from Aquatic Cove (District 2) to the industrial southeast (District 10)

What action is being taken

The National Park Service has permanently removed the historic wooden wharf used by the Sea Scouts
The NPS is prohibiting the Sea Scouts from making repairs to their facility
The Port of San Francisco's infrastructure continues to deteriorate with visible evidence of dock collapse and corrosion

Why it matters

The deterioration represents the loss of San Francisco's maritime heritage and infrastructure
Youth are losing access to maritime education and leadership development opportunities
The Sea Scouts, with deep ties to San Francisco's cultural and civic fabric, have been displaced from their historic facility
The Board of Supervisors' original intention when transferring the property to NPS in 1976 was for the facility to remain available for Sea Scouts' use
The situation reflects broader institutional neglect of San Francisco's waterfront infrastructure

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: San Francisco Bay View National Black Newspaper