The Sailing Science Center held its first gala in the futuristic Salesforce Tower in 2019. In contrast, this year’s event is being held on Treasure Island, in the historic Building One. Building One is also called the Treasure Island Administration Building. The building was designed by George Kelham and William P. Day in the Art Moderne style of architecture. Its construction was completed in 1939 at a cost of $900,000.

The building’s first purpose in life was to house the administrative offices for the Golden Gate International Exposition, and as the terminal building for Pan American Airways (See Pan Am logo above). When the building opened for the exposition it housed a post office branch, Western Union and Postal Telegraph services. There was an emergency hospital in the north wing and a 125-seat cafeteria.

Early on it was thought that Treasure Island would serve as San Francisco International Airport. That thinking changed as Washington watched the escalating war in the Pacific and decided to convert the island to a Navy base. In 1975 work began on the building’s mural, designed by New York artist, Lowell Nesbitt, and painted by a dozen or more artists. The mural depicts Naval history in the Pacific from 1813 to when it was painted. It spans a remarkable 251 feet and is 26 feet high. At the time it was believed to be the largest mural in the United States.

Today, Building One serves as an office building and is in the National Register of Historic Places. The building’s horseshoe shape greets visitors to the island, whether arriving by the causeway, or on the new Treasure Island Ferry. Tenants include the Treasure Island Development Authority (TIDA), the Treasure Island Museum, and many of Treasure Island’s businesses, including the Sailing Science Center. We invite you to see the building and enjoy an evening with us at the Sailing Science Center 2022 Gala on December 10th.

Some people get in the pool and splash around. Others dive in and make waves. Such is the case with Donald Lawson, or rather, Captain Donald Lawson, founder of the Dark Seas Project, and a 40-year-old sailor out to break records.

Lawson plans to take on 35 offshore sailing benchmarks in the next 10 years aboard his vessel Defiant, a 60-foot trimaran which just happens to be one of the world’s fastest sailing vessels. He will sail the events solo. Some of the better-known races include the Transpacific, Miami to NYC, Bermuda to Plymouth, plus the Newport to Bermuda, and the Transatlantic. A near-term goal is to set the best overall time to sail the Transpacific California to Hawaii route. But the Biggy is to become the first African American to sail solo around the world, non-stop. He wants to do that in 70 days... the record is 74.

“To compete on this level, you need a boat that will allow competition with a high potential to win. Defiant was built in 2004 for legendary sailor Franck Cammas. On Groupama 2, this team won over 70% of their races, plus four championships.” In 2011, Lawson was on track to purchase G2 but the deal fell through; the vessel sold to a U.S. crew and was renamed Mighty Merloe. The pro-am Mighty Merloe crew dominated West Coast racing, setting a slew of records. In 2019, COVID-19 brought an end to the run and the tri was put up for sale. Lawson acquired the boat and renamed her Defiant. Defiant is the last ORMA 60 built, and is by far the fastest of her family. Head-to-head, no ORMA 60 can compete with her record and performance.

Captain and team are prepping Defiant for solo operation, “She hasn’t been sailed shorthanded since 2007, when she won the Transat with Jacques Vabre. As a result, many changes are necessary. One of the first things I did was reinstall the central tiller to permit steering from three locations, including near the throttle. We have also identified a number of additional improvements that will make her a true ocean-going boat—adding automatic bilge pump, radar, wind generator and more.”

The captain says clean energy is a commonsense thing to include. “For advice, I am fortunate to have input from Bruce Schwab of OceanPlanet Energy. As I prepare Defiant, I want to get things right the first time.”

A proponent of inclusion and youth sailing, for several years Lawson and his wife were paying out-of-pocket expenses for all their outreach efforts. “Early on, people would offer assistance, but we couldn’t take the help. This year, we created the nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, Dark Seas Project, so we can expand our reach and accept donations,” he notes. “We continue to offer presentations and look for ways to bring sailing to those who traditionally don’t have access.” This past summer he traveled up and down the West Coast, visiting centers, clubs and organizations. “I want to provide everyone that I meet with a dose of inspiration. When I started sailing, there wasn’t anyone in my culture to look at and imagine emulating.”

We have been fortunate that family and friends believe in what we are trying to do and support our efforts! A number of companies and individuals have donated funds and gear to the program. A special thank you to T-Mobile, Mustang Survival, Crooked Halo, ATN Corp., U.S. Sailing, Expedition Foods, the Captain (check!), RinseKit and SailM8 for supporting our program.”

Lawson also leads the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee at U.S. Sailing. His main duty is to help guide a team of committee members who are pushing U.S. Sailing into the future. “A top objective is to develop a DE&I template for other organizations. In this role I will speak with yacht club members tasked with developing their own DE&I missions.”

Lawson was raised in Baltimore, Maryland. His father was a Baptist preacher and employee in NASA’s Office of Inspector General. His mother was a computer technician and community counselor. At the age of nine, his mother enrolled him in the Police Athletic League (PAL). One of his first field trips was aboard the Lady Maryland, a 19th-century schooner replica which hosts educational outings on Chesapeake Bay. At sail, and with the Baltimore skyline diminishing in the wake, a wide-eyed Lawson asked the skipper how far he could take the boat. “Around the world if you want.”

― Martha Blanchfield/Renegade Sailing

Mighty Merloe photo SSC/Jim

Building One stands out against a rich blue sky. The historic building has been home to the Sailing Science Center's office since 2018 and is the site for the SSC 2022 Gala.

If you don't have your ticket yet, this is your chance!