YOUR YACHT

BAY WATCH is a 3-level, Hatteras, luxury motor yacht. This is a non-fishing boat -- carpeted throughout, with a rich mohogany interior, and custom-made leather furniture. We provide personal, attentive, and caring service for private parties only -- 2 to 49 guests.

TYPICAL FAMILY ON BOARD CRUISE PLAN

The Captain meets the family at the "Six Flags Building" (see DIRECTIONS) 15 minutes before your scheduled burial at sea service. After a brief introduction, the Captain will escort you to your luxury motor yacht. 35 minutes after leaving the marina, the family gathers at the forward part of the yacht (bow) for the memorial service. We are usually just outside San Diego Bay in a very calm ocean site. Any light breezes are positioned properly for the ash scattering. We will slowly circle any flowers you might cast on the ocean and then return to San Diego Bay. On the return, we do a little sight-seeing before we arrive back to the marina. The total time is often just under two hours.

TYPICAL FAMILY ASHORE CRUISE PLAN

The family delivers (mails) their loved one's cremains to the yacht. To view the ceremony, most groups choose Cabrillo National Monument or Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. These locations both overlook the burial at sea site. They are easily reached by driving to the south end of Catalina Blvd., which becomes Cabrillo Memorial Drive and by following the signs. At your requested time, with the yacht in clear view, the Captain will perform your burial at sea ceremony. You can coordinate this via cell phone with the Captain on the yacht.

TYPICAL FAMILY NOT PRESENT CEREMONY

The family, or Primary Next of Kin, mails their loved one's cremains, a copy of the death certificate, payment, the Authorization Form, and the Services Order Form to Bay Watch Cruises. Within 60 days of receipt, Bay Watch Cruises will perform your burial at sea service. This service includes a brief memorial by the Captain and the scattering of the ashes. Bay Watch Cruises will dispose of all containers and mail you a Commemorative Certificate identifying the date and time, as well as the exact position of the yacht where your burial at sea ceremony took place.

TYPICAL BURIAL AT SEA LOCATION

As we exit San Diego Bay, we make a left turn. We put the Hotel Del Coronado, the Coronado Bridge, and Downtown San Diego in the distant background. At this point, we are in our own "lake area". The ocean is usually calmer here than in San Diego Bay. Other sites or specific locations can be arranged.

TYPICAL BURIAL AT SEA LENGTH OF TIME

Most ceremonies often take just under two hours. It takes Bay Watch about 35 minutes to reach the typical burial at sea location. If we meet at 9:45 AM, for example, we are usually back at the marina by 11:30 AM. Some families choose to spend an additional hour cruising San Diego Bay on our return.

POINTS OF DEPARTURE

We almost always depart from Shelter Island (see DIRECTIONS). Other departure points are often subject to a remote pickup fee and docking fee.

TIME OF DEPARTURE

We can depart any time that fits your schedule. Families often request from 10 AM to Noon, or from 1 PM to 3 PM on the weekends. Sometimes families are going to, or returning from lunch -- so food service is not an issue. In addition, your guests may be returning to your home after your burial at sea service.

SEA SICKNESS OR ROUGH WATER

Almost never happens. Most of the trip is inside the calm waters of San Diego Bay. The area just outside the Bay, where the ceremony usually takes place, is even calmer than the Bay itself.

MINISTER PRESENT?

Most families conduct their burial at sea service themselves. Families may bring their minister, priest, or rabbi -- or we can refer one to you. The Captain performs a brief service ONLY if the family is not present.

FLOWERS OR WREATHS

Families often bring loose-cut flowers, such as roses. You and your guests are welcome to cast them on the ocean after the ash scattering. We will slowly circle these flowers before we return to the Bay. Please note that wreaths are often bound with wire and/or backed by styrofoam or rubber and are not environmentally friendly.

MUSIC

We have a CD jukebox with 7 sets of speakers. You are welcome to bring any music you feel is appropriate on your CD and we will play it for you at the proper time.

COMMEMORATIVE CERTIFICATE OF BURIAL AT SEA

Bay Watch Cruises always gives the family a commemorative certificate which pictures the yacht. This certificate identifies the day, date, and time, as well as the actual latitude and longitude of the burial at sea ceremony and the ash scattering.

PETS POLICY

No pets of any kind are allowed on the vessel.

RAIN POLICY

Almost never happens. However, you can certainly cancel that day with no penalty. The caterer, if you have one, will deliver the food to your desired location.

CANCELLATION POLICY

You may cancel 15 days before your scheduled charter with no penalty.  We charge a fifty percent (50% of the yacht charter rate) non-refundable reservation fee if the cancellation is less than 15 days before your scheduled charter. A one-hundred percent (100% of the yacht charter rate) non-refundable reservation fee will be charged to your credit card for cancellation the day of your scheduled event.

CREDIT CARDS OR CHECKS

We gladly accept VISA, MASTERCARD, or AMERICAN EXPRESS to make your reservation. Final payment is made at the end of your charter, just before we return to the marina. Many families often use personal checks or estate checks on the day of their memorial. These checks are not only accepted, but preferred.

RESERVATIONS

Call Captain Bill at (619) 222-9999 in San Diego or (800) 335-2785.  He will prepare a one page charter agreement; fax or mail it to you; and take a credit card number to make your reservation.  Payment is accepted after your burial at sea ceremony by cash, check, or credit card - whatever is most convenient for you.