The compass monument was requisitioned in 2000 to add a greater Sanctuary presence to the southern region. At that time there was concern from the community that people were unaware that they were beside the largest marine sanctuary in the continental United States. Since 2000, a new southern region representative has been hired, with an office at Hearst Castle District Offices, Bldg 4.

The monument was designed by Leslie Stone Associates of Sausalito, CA. It's placement and size were approved by the Superintendent of the San Simeon District of the California Department of Recreation, Kirk Sturm. The tiles were designed and manufactured by sculptor Dan Stingle.

The completed compass is about 5 feet in diameter and about 2 feet high. The base is concrete. The center picture depicts a map of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary in hand-made colored tiles, adapted from the official poster of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (available for sale on our website, www.montereybay.nos.noaa.gov).

The installation was completed during the last week of April, 2002 and took about a week. The concrete base was poured on site. The colored concrete sections of the compass were brought to the site and installed by hand.

We had some challenging moments regarding the orientation of the compass direction. The designer wanted to know, "Should it be pointed to true north or magnetic north?" Both possibilities had their merits. Maps and charts point to true north. However, if you put a compass down on the ground it will point to magnetic north (assuming there is no iron rebar around).

After checking with our experts the answer came back: use true north. The sculpture is a rendition of a compass rose used on charts and maps. Therefore it should point to true north.

We will be placing interpretive signs around the completed marker. One of these signs will explain the difference between true north and magnetic north and explain the reasoning behind the placement.

For more information about the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, you can call our southern region representative at (805) 927-2145 or check our award-winning website at www.montereybay.nos.noaa.gov.