mail to:  Capt. Smitty  

Circle of Remembrance
Scattering of Ashes and Burials at sea

Authorization formfor the Scattering of Cremated Remains at Sea

The F/V RIPTIDE is a charter vessel operating from Pillar Point Harbor. Pillar Point Harbor is located just north of Half Moon Bay and just south of San Francisco, California. One of our special services is to help you to respectfully and economically memorialize your loved ones with ashes scattering on the ocean. For cremated remains burials at sea, we bring our personal experiences with the loss of loved ones to our clients. We understand the difficulty surrounding this time and work closely with our clients to ensure that their wishes are met. 

Some examples of scattering locations in our area are:  Off of the town of Half Moon Bay, Montara Beach, Mavericks & Moss Beach.

The RIPTIDE is owned and operated by  Captain William Smith. All arrangements are made directly with us and we will customize the memorial to meet your needs (within the bounds of the law). Capt. Smitty is a veteran charter skipper with over twenty years of experience operating boats from local Bay Area harbors.

We hold all of the necessary permits and licenses to disperse ashes at sea, including:
State of California Cremated Remains Disposer License: Number 476
U.S. Coast Guard Vessel Certification: Number 501-216
Captain William E. Smith, U.S. Coast Guard U.S. Merchant Marine Officer: Number 843229
Member in Good Standing: Drug Testing Consultants

We are fully insured and certified by the U.S. Coast Guard to carry up to 17 passengers.

RIPTIDE is not affiliated with any one religious faith. All faiths are welcome.

mail to:  Capt. Smitty    

Our prices vary depending upon your needs.
All ashes scatterings include completion of the paperwork accompanying the ashes, indicating the coordinates (Latitude/Longitude) of the scattering site, a personalized certificate from RIPTIDE, and required reporting to the EPA.

Additional charges will be incurred if you wish us to assist in providing a clergy person, or if we are asked to provide fresh-cut flowers to scatter on the ocean.

Yes, we are happy to help you arrange for your pet’s cremated remains to be scattered.

Basic Scattering: $500
The basic scattering provides you with the exclusive use of theRIPTIDE for you and your guests (up to 20 passengers total) for one hour. The Captain will take you beyond the harbor area a short distance and will assist you with the scattering.

We will memorialize your loved one with the Circle of Remembrance, circling the area while providing a time of quiet reflection for the family and guests on board.

We only take one group at a time. Being on time is critical for all concerned. Late fees are $20 per every 10 minuets

Unaccompanied Scattering  or from Out of State
We now offer to receive your loved ones cremains by mail and can scatter them for you.  This can be documented with a picture for you as well as the purchase of flowers. Please inquire for these special services (for which there is an additional charge).
For cremations that are done outside the State of California, we require completion of the following form (click on mailing instructions below) and also a copy of the death certificate so that we can obtain on your behalf a California Certificate of Dispersal.

For unassisted Scatterings or out of state go to Mailing Instructions 

Other Locations:
Many times people have specific locations where they would like to have their loved one’s ashes scattered. These requests can usually be met for an additional charge. Some examples of scattering locations in our area are: Montara Beach, Mavericks, Moss Beach.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How do I make arrangements for scattering my loved one’s ashes from the RIPTIDE?
Call us directly at 650-728-8433 and we will personally discuss your plans with you.

mail to:  Capt. Smitty  

What time of day do you schedule scatterings?
We usually schedule scatterings for the late afternoon (approximately 3:00- 3:30 p.m.)

How do I pay for the scattering?
Once we have settled on a date, we request payment in advance. We will provide you with instructions when we book the date. We only take cash or credit card.

Will weather conditions effect the arrangements we make for a specific date? Weather may very well cause us to reschedule the scattering. The Captain will determine this and will advise you. If we have to reschedule your date, we will apply the prepayment to a future date.

How big is the boat, does it have a bathroom?
The RIPTIDE is 40’ long, fiberglass, and includes an inside cabin area and toilet.

Can we bring wine for a toast?
Yes, you can provide your own beverages for toasting your loved one.

Can we bring a floral wreath for the scattering?
We encourage you to memorialize your loved one in an ecologically sound fashion. Our clients bring cut flowers that can go in the water without causing any problems to animals, fish, or birds.

What should we wear?
Even for a one hour cruise to scatter ashes, we always remind people to dress warmly, wear flat shoes with non-skid soles.

Do you take credit cards?
At this time, RIPTIDE  accepts payment in cash, check credit card.

We offer these related links to help you with your planning.
American Association of Retired Persons: www.aarp.org
State of California, Department of Consumer Affairs: www.dca.ca.gov/cemetery/funeral.htm
Cremated Remains Disposer Information:http://www.dca.ca.gov/cemetery/cremdisp.htm

(Copyright ? 1998-2015 Riptide Charters)