March 17, 2011

We regret to inform you that there will be NO free Port of Oakland Harbor Tours this year. For more than a decade, the Port has been pleased to offer the public complimentary Harbor Tours every summer (May through October) which has provided the public with a birds-eye view of Port operations as well as an opportunity to learn more about the Port of Oakland's rich history.

The decision to suspend the harbor tour program was a very difficult one, but one that had to be made in light of the current state of the economy and need to balance the Port's financial health.

As you may know, the Port of Oakland was established in 1927 and is an independent department of the City of Oakland. The Port oversees the Oakland seaport, Oakland International Airport and 20 miles of waterfront, including commercial real estate assets and hundreds of acres of public parks and conservation areas.

During these challenging economic times and like many agencies, The Port has its share of debt as a result of borrowing relative to facility improvements and capital projects. Bond debt requires the Port to maintain a certain ratio of net revenue to debt payments, and the Port's debt payments have increased over the years. Additionally, since 2008, the Port has had to reduce its workforce by approximately 25%. The Port along with the rest of the country and world--is still making a gradual recovery resulting from one of the worst economic recessions since the Great Depression of the 1930s. At the same time, The Port does not receive tax dollars from the City or from the County.

All of these factors influenced the difficult decision to suspend our complimentary Harbor Tour program. We sincerely regret having to make this unpopular decision, but we hope you will understand. Please know that the Port of Oakland continues to be committed to Oakland and the greater Bay Area community. We wish you and your families well as we all do our best to navigate through these economically uncertain times.

Sincerely,
The Port of Oakland