In this column, we've been introducing you to your local captains, deckhands, engineers, operations supervisors and ferry staff for the last few years now-have you made any new friends yet? If so, we'd love to hear your stories.
Captain Greg Paxton has been working with Golden Gate Ferry for 26 years. When he is not at the helm of a ferry, you can often find him exploring the local waterways.
By Matt Larson
Published: May, 2016
In this column, we’ve been introducing you to your local captains, deckhands, engineers, operations supervisors and ferry staff for the last few years now—have you made any new friends yet? If so, we’d love to hear your stories. Drop our publisher a line at joel@baycrossings.com.
This month we’d like to introduce you to Greg Paxton, a vessel master (in other words, captain) for Golden Gate Ferry. If you’re a frequent ferry rider, you may very well already know him on a first-name basis as he’s been a captain for Golden Gate Ferry for the past 26 years.
As the most senior vessel master, Paxton pretty much gets first dibs on when and where he’s manning the helm. His commute of choice? The morning Sausalito run, Monday through Friday.
Paxton enjoys all aspects of the job, but the daily views of the San Francisco Bay are unquestionably his favorite thing about being a vessel master. Up at the helm, cruising the Bay for 26 years and counting, Paxton was born to work on the water.
“I’ve been playing and working on boats my whole life,” he said. “I grew up in a sailing family.” A natural fish above water, Paxton’s love of the sea has led to some pretty amazing experiences. “I was a racing sailboat captain for 15 years before transitioning to running water taxis during the Exxon Valdez oil spill cleanup in Prince William Sound, Alaska.” Paxton’s seen a lot, yet he still looks forward to seeing the San Francisco Bay every day he comes to work.
On his morning Sausalito commute, he always looks toward the Golden Gate Bridge to appreciate its ever-changing beauty in different lighting and weather conditions. He also enjoys the wildlife. “One of the more interesting things I’ve seen are harbor porpoises on the Bay every day—that weren’t here 10 years ago!” Paxton said. “I occasionally see whales in the Bay, depending on the time of year—I saw one this week by Alcatraz.”
The San Francisco Bay is full of surprises, which is probably why even on his days off he can be seen exploring the waterways. “My wife and I sail on our boat as much as we can,” he said. He added, however, that he doesn’t actually live on the water and he has other interests also. “We also enjoy bike riding in Sonoma County.”
When asked if he could captain a ship anywhere in the world, where that would be, Paxton simply responded: “I’m already there.” Paxton’s favorite ferry boat is the Mendocino: “It is a four-engine, jet-drive catamaran that is a joy to drive,” he said. “It’s the best handling large passenger ferry I’ve ever driven.” Considering Paxton’s career, that’s saying a lot.
If you’d like to get a taste of Paxton’s lifestyle, come aboard one of these top-of-the-line ferry boats. Sure, you could drive to work, honking your way into San Francisco all while risking fender benders in the stop-and-go traffic, getting into town just in time to frantically search for parking—at least you won’t have to worry about speeding tickets.
Or, you can take Paxton’s advice and hop aboard the ferry. “It gets you out of your car and gives you 30 minutes to relax,” he said. “And, you can enjoy one of the world’s best views while commuting to work.”
