I watched as Shimada departed Newport for San Francisco on June 22.

shimada departing newport
NOAA FSV Bell M. Shimada departing Newport, Oregon. June, 2017.

I caught up with her a week later in San Francisco Bay. We watched SF’s 4th of July fireworks from the ship and sailed under the Golden Gate Bridge the next morning.

shimada departing SF
Golden Gate Bridge from NOAA FSV Bell M. Shimada. July, 2017.

After months of anticipation, we were finally underway! Alcatraz, container ships, humpback whale sightings, Point Bonita Lighthouse…

shimada departing SF 2
NOAA FSV Bell M. Shimada departs San Francisco. July, 2017.

Golden Gate behind us, unknown adventures ahead.

Follow the ship on Marine Traffic! Click here to see Shimada’s current position.