Bay Area city manager resigns after bizarre yacht arrest, mental health crisis

The onetime city manager of a wealthy San Francisco suburb has resigned from her role less than two months after she was arrested following a bizarre incident aboard a yacht at the city’s marina.

Ex-Sausalito city manager Elaine Forbes, 53, remains in treatment and her condition is improving, family spokesperson Sam Singer told The California Post on Wednesday.

“Resigning was important so she could focus on her mental wellbeing,” Singer said.

Forbes’ departure brings an abrupt end to her short tenure running the Marin County city.

She was arrested in July after authorities said she boarded multiple vessels at Sausalito Yacht Harbor.

Mayor Steven Woodside announced Forbes’ resignation Monday, saying the city had accepted it and she was no longer employed.

“Our hearts are with Elaine and her family, and we stand behind her as she takes this time to focus on her health and healing,” Woodside said.

The City Council unanimously agreed in closed session to appoint Brandon Phipps as interim city manager for six months. The city expects to conduct a recruitment for a permanent replacement after the November election.

Forbes had been on the job for only about three weeks when authorities arrested her July 18 after she allegedly boarded several boats, including a large yacht, at the Sausalito marina.

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Authorities said Forbes was found aboard the yacht around dawn after its horn began blaring.

Investigators alleged she initially claimed the vessel belonged to her before its owner confirmed she did not have permission to be aboard. She was initially booked on suspicion of felony burglary.

The yacht’s owner, Andy Cunningham, told The Post that Forbes had ransacked clothing, eaten food and consumed four bottles of wine aboard the vessel. A missing-person report had been filed for Forbes days before her arrest.

Forbes later agreed to undergo a psychiatric evaluation at Marin General Hospital during a court appearance and did not enter a plea. Her attorney, Randy Knox, said at the time that she was “trying to get the help she needs.”

Singer previously said Forbes was experiencing a significant mental health crisis during the incident. Forbes lived on a houseboat near the marina, and Singer said she may have believed she was aboard her own vessel.

Before taking the Sausalito job, Forbes spent nine years as executive director of the Port of San Francisco. She abruptly announced her departure from that post in September 2025, saying she was “tired” of overseeing such a large operation and needed a change.

Singer said Forbes’ family members — including her wife Angela Cavillo, clerk of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors — are grateful for Sausalito’s response.

“Angela and her family are tremendously grateful for the city of Sausalito and how nicely they have treated her during this difficult moment in her life,” he said.