San Diego Tuna Boats

So here is my latest photo of The Koorale, there’s  definitely progress being made . Thank you to A Toko for sharing his pictures. [email protected] or on Twitter @sdtunaboats

Just an update on some of the work being done on the Koorale. It looks like a mess but these were actually a few months ago and progress is being made and its going to be awesome to see this seiner sail again in a few months . [email protected] and on Twitter @sdtunaboats

Helicopter Pilot Adrian Rupp sent me this photo of himself  in the Chopper aboard The Capt MJ Souza in the late 1980s . I spent the afternoon on the phone with Adrian and boy did he have some great stories to tell of those days on the MJ . I will be posting a lot more photos from Adrian soon. [email protected] or on Twitter @sdtunaboats

Andrew Balelo sends in this photo of his Grandfather , Manuel Balelo sewing net. Thank You Andrew . [email protected] or on Twitter @sdtunaboats

The Tuna Seiner Jaiwan Master being launched at  Campbells Shipyard in San Diego in 1989. One of the last few seiners built in San Diego. A  huge Thank You to  Minwoo Hong for sharing another great photo and giving me permission to share with all of you . [email protected] and on Twitter @sdtunaboats

I posted this photo a few years back , a wonderful picture of the Westgate Boats courtesy of the Scafidi Family. I can remember as a little kid going down to these docks so many times in the early 70’s with my Father who spent a couple of trips aboard the Mary Barbara and the United States . I guess I was just reminiscing of the good old days again. Share your photos at [email protected] or on Twitter @sdtunaboats

The Raffaello’s helicopter coming down in the Western Pacific in 1989. I was told the Chopper had electrical failure and auto rotated down several hundred feet. The Raffaello was 10-12 miles away at the time , its safe to say this could have ended worse . Huge Thank You to Vaughan W for sharing these photos .. [email protected]  or on Twitter @sdtunaboats

The Tuna Seiner Shilla Challenger was one of the last few Tuna Boats built by Campbell’s Shipyard in San Diego. Launched in 1990 for Korea ,I believe it is still fishing today . [email protected] or on Twitter @sdtunaboats

The Tuna Seiner Laura Ann cruising , there is definitely not a lot of photos of this boat. Built by Matinac Shipyard 1979. This is one from  Tom Ruckle’s collection . A huge Thank You to the Ruckle Family for letting me share these. [email protected] or on Twitter @sdtunaboats