APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY ___________________________ OAKLAND CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. ______________ C.M.S. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF THE FORMER OAKLAND FIRE BOAT, KNOWN AS THE SEA WOLF, TO THE AZUL MARINE GROUP, INC FOR TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($25,000) AND, FINDING THAT THE SALE IS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE CITY PURSUANT TO OMC 2.04.120(D) WHEREAS, the City of Oakland (City) and the Oakland Fire Department have a responsibility to ensure the safety of its residents, businesses, and visitors both on land and in its miles of waterways; and For over 30 years, the Oakland Fire vessel known as the Sea Wolf has operated as a key response tool in the Oakland Fire Department fleet, responding to fires, medical emergencies and search and rescue efforts in the Oakland/Alameda Estuary, at the Port of Oakland, and the Bay. However, the boat has reached the end of its life span, is no longer operational, and has begun to drastically deteriorate over the last few year; and WHEREAS, for over 30 years, the Oakland Fire vessel known as the Sea Wolf has operated as a key response tool in the Oakland Fire Department fleet, responding to fires, medical emergencies and search and rescue efforts in the Oakland/Alameda Estuary, at the Port of Oakland, and the Bay. However, the former boat has reached the end of its life span, is no longer operational, and has begun to drastically deteriorate over the last few years and; WHEREAS, the former boat has reached the end of its life span, and is no longer operational, and has begun to drastically deteriorate over the last few years; and WHEREAS, the Sea Wolf was acquired with funds provided by Measure I (1992), which course of its years in service, the Sea Wolf began to show signs of decline and ultimately no longer meets the original need of the vessel or mission of the fire department; and WHEREAS, in November of 2021, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 88902 which authorized the City Administrator to enter into an agreement and formally accept a Department of Homeland Security Port Security Grant in the amount of Eight Hundred and Twenty Five Thousand Dollar ($825,000) to fund the construction and purchase of a state of the art fire boat for use by the Oakland Fire Department and to be docked on the estuary at Fire Station #2 where the Sea Wolf currently occupies space; and WHEREAS, the Fire boat and the Fire Engine and crew at Station 2 were taken out of service from the late 90s to 2020 due to city budget reductions and during that time, the Sea Wolf was underutilized and continued to deteriorate and depreciate. Over the last 5 years, its condition has only gotten worse, while becoming a potential environmental hazard for the Port and Oakland estuary; and WHEREAS, in late 2025, the Oakland Fire Department welcomed a new state-of-the-art fire boat to its fleet, the Bay Wolf, enhancing regional response capabilities and waterfront protection; and WHEREAS, during the construction of the Bay Wolf, the Fire Department was tasked with identifying a new home for the Sea Wolf, and evaluating the best option for the department to recoup remaining value from the boat while identifying an option that might continue to serve the city and the region; and WHEREAS, to determine the next steps for the Sea Wolf, a comprehensive independent evaluation and appraisal of the boat was completed by Starboard Marine Surveyors in December 2024 and provided to the department in 2025, which included a comprehensive external and mechanical inspection of the vessel; and WHEREAS, leaving a boat docked in water for extended periods exposes it to significant hazards, primarily marine growth (algae, barnacles), galvanic corrosion, hull blistering, and sinking due to failed pumps or leaks. Constant water exposure weakens fittings, ruins paint, and reduces performance, requiring consistent maintenance and protective, expensive anti-fouling paint. The Sea Wolf has been exposed to all these hazards for the last several years and continues to depreciate; and WHEREAS, both WHEREAS, during the analysis process, an interested party, Azul Marine Group, approached the Fire Department with an offer to purchase the Sea Wolf for $25,000, with the intent to repair it, and restore it for educational and training purposes, as well as firefighting support in the Port of Stockton and the greater Bay Area; and . WHEREAS, the City Administrator has determined that a sale as-is for $25,000 is fair market value given that theto solicit a enet the currentispractical; and WHEREAS, OMC section 2.04.120(D) provides that the City Council may waive the competitive process, or requirement that the vessel be put up for auction, upon a recommendation of the City Administrator and finding and determination by the City Council that the sale is in the best interests of the City; and.
WHEREAS, staff recommends that it is in the best interests of the City to exercise this section 2.04.120(D) to expedite the process of removing the Sea Wolf from the Oakland Estuary, preventing any further environmental risk, and maximizing the sale price that is currently proposed by the interested buyer, which is considered fair market value; and WHEREAS, funds recouped from the sale of the Sea Wolf would require a one-time City Council appropriation of revenue in the amount of $25,000.00 deposited into the following Oakland Fire revenue account(s): General Purpose Fund 010; Organization 20813 (Fire Boat); Account 48114 (Sale of Vehicle); Project 1000009 (DP200 Fire Administrative Project); and Program, PS18 (Special Operations Emergency Response); and WHEREAS, Expenditure budget for this revenue collected will be established in the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Midcycle Budget or future Biennial Budget Adoptions; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED: That the City Council determines that the sale of the Sea Wolf to Azul Marine Group, Inc. for $25,000 is in the best interests of the City; and be it FURTHER RESOLVED: That the City Council hereby waives competitive bidding requirements pursuant to Oakland Municipal Code Section 2.04.120(D) finding it is in the best interest of the City to do so for the reasons stated above and in the agenda report; and be it FURTHER RESOLVED: That the City Administrator is authorized to negotiate and execute a purchase and sale agreement and any related documents necessary to effectuate the sale, without return to Council; and be it FURTHER RESOLVED: That the purchase and sale agreement and any related documents execution; and be it FURTHER RESOLVED: -, with no warranties, express or implied; and be it FURTHER RESOLVED: That the purchaser shall be solely responsible for all costs associated with removal, transport, repair, and use of the vessel; and be it FURTHER RESOLVED: That this action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301 and 15061(b)(3); and be it FURTHER RESOLVED: That proceeds from the sale shall be deposited and appropriated in accordance with this City Council budget action. IN COUNCIL, OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES - BROWN, FIFE, GALLO, HOUSTON, RAMACHANDRAN, UNGER, WANG, AND PRESIDENT JENKINS NOES ABSENT ABSTENTION ATTEST: ASHA REED City Clerk and Clerk of the Council of the City of Oakland, California