The Harbor Emperor offered typically spectacular views on a recent afternoon, when Captain Kit Skow was the skipper for "Escape from the Rock," one of Blue & Gold Fleet’s many sightseeing tours.
Captain Kit Skow cruises under the Bay Bridge at the helm of the Harbor Emperor during the Blue & Gold Fleet’s “Escape form the Rock” tour. Photo by Matt Larson
By Matt Larson
Published: September, 2012
The Harbor Emperor offered typically spectacular views on a recent afternoon, when Captain Kit Skow was the skipper for "Escape from the Rock," one of Blue & Gold Fleet’s many sightseeing tours. From the Golden Gate Bridge to 360 degrees of Alcatraz, then to the Bay Bridge and back to Pier 39, passengers left Skow’s vessel with some special memories of the San Francisco Bay.
"The Golden Gate is always a big attraction," said Skow. "You get a lot of people snapping photos." Skow pointed out that locals might take the site of the Golden Gate Bridge for granted, but we should keep in mind that many people have never seen it before. Then again, some of the locals may have never given it a serious look. "On this run we actually circle Alcatraz," Skow said.
Although Captain Skow is currently on the afternoon sightseeing tours, soon he will take the helm on the Angel Island and Tiburon commutes. One of his favorite runs is the commuter trek from Alameda/Oakland. "Just because I’ve done it more than anything else," Skow said. "I like going over the estuary; there’s a lot of ship traffic and interesting things happening over there." He also usually gets to drive the Peralta, one of his favorite boats.
One thing Skow has found on all the boats is that there are always people to talk to. He especially likes to speak with tourists to the area, as traveling is one of his personal callings in life. "It’s always fun talking to people," he said. "I always ask the tourists, ‘When I get there, what do I want to see?’" Nothing better than getting the inside scoop.
Skow has been all over the world a few times over, be it Norway, France, Chile, or Argentina—and he’s been to Australia six times. "It’s a long flight," he said. Reggie, one of the deckhands on board Skow’s ship, said that if you were to get a map of the world, "you’d save thumbtacks by only putting them on places Captain Skow has not visited."
Born in El Sobrante and now a Pinole resident, Skow has been blessed with two careers. "Originally I worked part-time for Blue & Gold because I was also a teacher," he said. Skow taught physical education for 37 years in the West Contra Costa Unified School District. "I retired three years ago and have been a full-time ferry captain ever since." Skow has now had his captain’s license for 26 years, and will mark 29 years with Blue & Gold in just a few months.
Throughout both of his careers, Skow has maintained a true passion for fitness. "This morning I spent two hours at the gym before I came to work," he said. "That’s one of the reasons I try to work the afternoon shift." He has participated in some marathons and athletic competitions and has recently set a new goal for himself. "I’m going to do what they call a ‘tough mudder’—it’s an 11-mile run, there’s 26 obstacles that you have to do, and it’s going to be up at Northstar. I think I’m in shape to do it, but to do it at that altitude is going to be a different story."
As captain he’s certainly mastered his techniques at sea level and looks forward to more years with Blue & Gold on Bay Area waterways. "I enjoy it," Skow said. "I don’t mind going to work, especially on days like today when it’s nice out. It’s a relaxing commute." It’s for that very reason that Skow recommends the ferry for Bay Area commuters. "You can read the newspaper, read a book, get some work done you need to do on the ride home—and let someone else do the driving."
