San Francisco’s Alcatraz Tour Boats Grounded by Sea Lions

San Francisco’s Alcatraz Tour Boats Grounded by Sea LionsSan Francisco’s Alcatraz Tour Boats Grounded by Sea Lions San Francisco’s iconic Alcatraz Island, home to the infamous former federal prison, has become the unlikely epicenter of a maritime standoff between tourists and a colony of raucous sea lions. Blue & Gold Fleet, the company that operates the popular Alcatraz Island tours, has been forced to halt boat operations indefinitely after hundreds of sea lions took up residence on the docks surrounding Pier 33, the base of the tour operations. “It’s a chaotic situation,” said Blue & Gold Fleet General Manager, Danette Lawrence. “The sea lions are exhibiting aggressive behavior, barking and charging at the boats, making it extremely dangerous to approach the docks.” The influx of sea lions at Pier 33 is believed to be due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has resulted in a decline in tourist activity. With fewer people around, the sea lions have expanded their territory onto the docks, which were once their preferred resting place. “Sea lions are social creatures,” explained Dr. Joyce Flynn, a marine mammal expert at the Marine Mammal Center. “They establish colonies where they feel safe and protected, and the docks at Pier 33 have become their new favorite spot.” The sea lion colony has made it impossible for tour boats to safely maneuver around the docks. The animals climb onto the hulls, block the gangways, and even try to bite the propellers. “We’ve tried every possible solution,” said Lawrence. “We’ve used noisemakers, sprayed them with water, and even tried to physically move them. But nothing has deterred them.” Until the sea lions relocate, Alcatraz tours will remain suspended. Tourists are advised to check the Blue & Gold Fleet website for updates on when the tours are expected to resume. Meanwhile, the sea lions continue to enjoy their newfound haven, oblivious to the disruption they are causing to the human world. As the sun sets, they bask on the docks, their barking echoing across the bay, a reminder of the delicate balance between nature and tourism in San Francisco.