The Ceremony
JADA sails from Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina on Harbor Island, past Point Loma, and out beyond the 3-nautical-mile limit required by federal law. The engine goes quiet. The sails are set or furled as the family prefers. The boat holds position on the open water.
What happens next is yours to shape. Some families hold silence. Others read letters or poetry. Some bring musicians. The crew stands back and gives the family the deck. The remains are placed on the water at a specific GPS coordinate we record and provide to you — a real location, in real ocean, that will be there as long as the Pacific is.
Fresh flowers are welcome. So is whatever else makes the moment right for you.
What's Required
- Cremated remains only (no whole-body burials at sea — federal permit required for those)
- Scattering must occur beyond 3 nautical miles from shore — JADA always sails well beyond that
- EPA notification within 30 days of scattering — we provide the vessel GPS coordinates for your filing
- No JADA-specific permit required for ash scattering; we comply with all federal maritime law
The Boat
JADA was built in 1938 in Stockton, California. She has been sailing San Diego Bay for decades — an 88-year-old wooden yawl with the kind of presence that makes a ceremony feel like a ceremony. The teak deck, the brass fittings, the silence under sail: this is not a party boat pressed into service. It is a vessel that fits the occasion.
Questions
Is ash scattering at sea legal in San Diego?
Yes. Federal maritime law (MPRSA) allows cremated remains to be scattered beyond 3 nautical miles from shore. JADA sails well beyond that threshold. Families must notify the EPA within 30 days — we give you the coordinates.
How many people can attend?
Up to 28 family members and guests.
How long does the ceremony take?
Most memorial sails are 2–3 hours. We depart Harbor Island, sail to open water, hold the ceremony, and return. There is no rush at the scattering site.
What does it cost?
Memorial charters start at $2,950 for a private 3-hour sail with up to 28 guests. Contact us to confirm pricing for your date.
Do you provide documentation of where the scattering occurred?
Yes. GPS coordinates of the scattering site — the exact latitude and longitude — are provided after every ceremony. You'll need them for the EPA notification and many families treasure knowing the precise location.
Can we bring flowers?
Yes. Fresh flowers on the water are a traditional part of a scattering ceremony. Bring whatever feels right.
