University of California Maritime Academy, Vallejo

Captain William H. Aguilar

Capt. Aguilar was a Master Mariner and mentor to an entire generation of graduates of the University of California Maritime Academy. He commanded the Training Ship Golden Bear for many years and taught celestial navigation with a passion and inspiration that deeply influenced many of his students, now Captains themselves.

Placed in the Alumni Plaza on the campus of UCMA, near the berth the TS Golden Bear, Capt Aguilar’s likeness, “The Navigator” faces west, toward the open ocean. He stands astride a compass rose, indicative of his understanding of the importance of knowing your position on the earth.

Jim Callahan was chosen to create the “Navigator” because of his ability to create realistic figures, reproduce them in bronze in his own foundry and because of his knowledge of the particular requirements of installing bronzes.