Preservation Innovation Award: Maritime Museum of San Diego

Purchased in 1973 by the Maritime Museum of San Diego, the 1898 ferryboat Berkeley underwent a decade of restoration. The Berkeley serves as the Museum’s headquarters. With well over a century spent in the waters, her hull was rusted, thinned and in need of restoration. After removing three decades of plant and animal growth and after filling the pits and covering the holes, the entire hull was sprayed with a ceramic coating material. The material was originally developed as a protective coating for use on North Sea oilrigs. The application of the ceramic coating to the hull of a historic vessel has allowed for a maximum retention of historic fabric while ensuring the hull’s protection. It is believed that this revolutionary process will prove valuable in saving other aging historic vessels.