Google Speaks Out on Purpose for Mystery Barges

(TheBlaze/AP) At first, a source familiar with the project said those mysterious Google barges in bays on opposite sides of the country were going to be "dazzling showrooms" for the Internet giant's latest gear. For weeks Google remained completely silent on the issue -- until now.

Google said it is exploring the option to use a large barge as an interactive learning center.

Google is erecting a four-story structure in the heart of the San Francisco Bay. Construction became obvious a few weeks ago. (AP/Jeff Chiu)

The statement released Wednesday from Google's press center could help end weeks of speculation about the purpose of structures on two barges, one being built in the San Francisco Bay, another off Portland, Maine.

"Google Barge ... A floating data center? A wild party boat? A barge housing the last remaining dinosaur? Sadly, none of the above," the statement read. "Although it's still early days and things may change, we're exploring using the barge as an interactive space where people can learn about new technology."

Google did not specify in the statement if it was referring to both barges or, if just one, which one, and the firm did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

A four-story structure rests on top of a barge in Portland Harbor, in Portland, Maine. Friday, Nov. 1, 2013. It is one of three secretive structures, two in San Francisco and one Portland, that have been linked to the web-giant Google, in documents obtained from the Coast Guard in New London, Conn. (AP/Robert F. Bukaty)

Google has been building a four-story structure in the heart of the San Francisco Bay for several weeks, but managed to conceal its purpose by constructing it on docked barges instead of on land, where city building permits and public plans are mandatory.

Until now, city officials responsible for land use and state officials responsible for the bay have said they didn't know what was being built there. Coast Guard inspectors who visited the construction sites could not discuss what they saw. Lt. Anna Dixon said non-disclosure agreements were signed, but that those were not necessary, and that the Coast Guard, as a practice, doesn't share proprietary information it sees during inspections.

If Google wants to operate an on-barge interactive learning center in the San Francisco Bay, the firm will eventually need to get permission from the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission.

The East Coast barge, built in New London, Conn., harbor in July was recently towed to Maine.

Last year Google proposed building a land-based "Google Experience Center" which would operate as a private museum and demo space as part of new $120 billion Googleplex headquarters it is building in Mountain View, Calif., where it is headquartered.

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