All Aboard the Love Boat

The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum throbbed to the Caribbean beat as 140 guests celebrated a Love Boat cruise gala with head honcho Greg Gorga in all white officer’s uniform.

Condor Express owner Hiroko Benko, who created a Santa Barbara Whale Heritage Area, and Sigrid Toye, a past board president and current board member, were presented with the prestigious Admiral’s Award.

The ubiquitous Andrew Firestone auctioned off an Aladdin’s Cave of items including a two-hour private charter for up to 127 guests on the Condor Express; a four-night Sun Valley, Idaho, getaway for six; a July 4^th party on the museum’s fourth floor, and an exclusive tour for four to the Reagan Ranch.

Among the romantic cruisers helping raise $125,000 were Jerome and Dinah Baumgartner, Brenda Blalock, Jim and Helen Buckley, Jack and Karen Byers, Jean-Michel Cousteau, Tom and Christine Frisina, Bob and Val Montgomery, Tony and Sabrina Papa, Mayor Randy Rowse, Peter Schuyler, Thomas Van Stein, and Bud, Fred and Sandy Toye.