[GeorgeB]

Port of Oakland has already been widened and dredged to accommodate these 1,300 foot long ships. After the "little" mishaps with bridges, the SF Bar Pilots Association is putting two pilots (each with a GPS and Handheld) on board Post Panamax and larger ships. One at the bow and the other in the wheelhouse. Shippers are crying foul as the association wants to charge double for these ships. Needless to say, they cannot maneuver to avoid you and the suction from the prop will have a tendency to draw you towards the ship especially in the confines of the Alameda Estuary.