Jennifer's Story

Case File #SB-2023-0614

The Incident

On June 14, 2023, Jennifer and Marcus Albright were married aboard the SS Catalina Dream, a 120-foot charter yacht departing from Santa Barbara Harbor. By all accounts, it should have been the happiest day of their lives. It was not.

Pre-Ceremony

Marcus insisted on bringing his 1987 Schwinn World Sport aboard the vessel. "It was his something blue," Jennifer recalled. The wedding planner objected. The captain objected. Marcus's own mother objected. Marcus prevailed.

6:47 PM — The Ceremony

The ceremony was beautiful. The vows were exchanged at sunset on the foredeck. The 127 guests wept. The Schwinn was parked against the starboard railing, wearing a small bow tie.

9:47 PM — The Decision

During the first dance, Marcus excused himself. He wanted one photo on the bike — just one — doing a wheelie on the bow with the Santa Barbara lights behind him.

9:49 PM — The Wave

A rogue 4-foot swell hit portside.

9:49 PM — The Departure

Marcus, the Schwinn, and the 4-tier lemon raspberry wedding cake — which had been positioned near the bow for the photo backdrop — went overboard simultaneously.

9:49 PM — Eyewitness Account

The splash was later described by the DJ as "the loudest thing I've heard, and I've worked EDM festivals."

10:01 PM — Recovery

The Coast Guard arrived in 12 minutes. They recovered the cake first — mostly intact. The fondant was surprisingly seaworthy. Marcus was found clinging to a navigation buoy 200 yards away, still wearing his boutonniere.

Status: Unrecovered

The Schwinn was never recovered. It is believed to rest at a depth of approximately 40 feet in the Santa Barbara Channel. Local divers have reported seeing fish congregating around what appears to be a bicycle frame near the coordinates 34.3869° N, 119.6864° W.

Aftermath

What Came After

Marcus was treated for mild hypothermia and "profound embarrassment" at Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara.
The marriage lasted 4 months. "Every time I look at him, I see that bicycle going over the railing. I hear the cake hitting the water. I can't unsee it," Jennifer said in her testimony to the Santa Barbara Harbor Commission.
Marcus still rides a Schwinn. A different one. He says it "wouldn't be fair to the brand to hold a grudge."
Jennifer now leads the ICANC chapter in Santa Barbara. She speaks at ferry terminals every weekend. She has personally convinced 340+ cyclists to leave their bikes on shore.

They're Not Alone

Other Reported Incidents

Jennifer's story is devastating. But it is far from unique. The following accounts were submitted to ICANC's incident reporting hotline.

Tim R. — Boston Harbor

Tried to lock his bike to the ferry railing "for safekeeping." The railing detached. Total damages: $14,200.

The Hendersons — Lake Tahoe

Brought a tandem bicycle aboard a pontoon boat for a "unique anniversary photo." The pontoon still lists 3 degrees to starboard to this day.

Anonymous — Sydney Harbour

Entered the ferry with a bicycle and exited without one. Refuses to discuss what happened. The ferry crew also refuses to discuss what happened.

Officer Brenda W. — ICANC Maritime Division

"I've seen a grown man cry because his bicycle bell rang as it sank. The bell rang all the way down. You don't forget that sound."

Jennifer's Story

The Incident

What Came After

Other Reported Incidents

Don't Let This Happen to You.Don't Let This Happen to Your Cake.

Don't Let This Happen to You.
Don't Let This Happen to Your Cake.