| Calm Heads Prevail at Meeting on Newport Harbor Sail Racing Speed |
| By: Ambrosia Sarabia | Wednesday, March 05, 2008 12:00:00 AM |
| Last updated: Thursday, November 13, 2008 11:30:00 AM |
Harbor Patrol and boaters work together on safety issues.
NEWPORT BEACH -- The heated debate over sailboat racing inside Newport Harbor cooled down a bit March 4, when members of the Harbor Commission’s Speed Limit Task Force Short-term Solutions Subcommittee and the Orange County Sheriff’s Harbor Patrol engaged in cooperative communication regarding safety -- not only for sailboat racers, but for all harbor users.
 | | | Photo by: Ambrosia Sarabia | | Talking Safety -- Members of the Speed Limit Task Force Short-term Solutions Subcommittee and Harbor Patrol representatives discussed ideas to ensure harbor safety during a March 4 meeting at the Newport Sea Base. | | |
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The meeting, held at the Newport Sea Base, had a different tone than past meetings, at which Harbor Patrol officers had been accused of attempting to shut down all sailboat racing in the harbor and sailboat racers felt they were being unfairly targeted as unsafe vessel operators. This time around, members of the committee came prepared with potential solutions that addressed the concerns raised by the Harbor Patrol, to ensure safe and successful summer racing. Both groups listened to each other, shared ideas and even laughed at a few jokes.
“Somehow, the story was spun -- and I don’t know how it got to that level,” claimed Capt. Deana Bergquist, harbormaster. “There was never going to be a crackdown on sailing.”
Boaters, charter boat operators, yacht club representatives and other users of the harbor discussed a variety of issues that had been raised by the Harbor Patrol -- including in-harbor sailboat racing, wakes, the speed limit, noise and harbor user groups. Races, such as the Beer Can Regatta that takes place every Thursday evening, were also discussed.
Committee members discussed posting race information on a Web site to inform boaters and other harbor users -- and Harbor Patrol officers -- of race dates and times. The goal is to close the existing communication gap between harbor user groups and foster better communication between sailboat racers and the Harbor Patrol, committee members explained.
Andy Rose, a member of Balboa Yacht Club, suggested distributing a written reminder to help racers and others remain cognizant of Rules of the Road in the harbor: a sheet covering “Safety and Courtesy Tips for the Beer Can Regatta.”
“We propose that this sheet, or something much like it, be provided with the race application that has to be signed by the entrant,” Rose explained. “The entrant would acknowledge receipt of this, and comply with it.”
The proposed draft reminds entrants that Rules of the Road must be followed -- and that racers must be on the lookout for inexperienced boaters, communicate with other vessels to avoid collisions or misunderstandings, avoid commercial vessels and be aware of other nearby vessels at all times, whether racing or not. Guidelines for common courtesy for harbor users and the procedure for reporting accidents is also listed.
“These are just some things that we have been doing for 50 years -- but you know there are some people out there who have less experience,” Rose explained. “I think we need to go as far as we can in meeting (the Harbor Patrol’s expectations in addressing its list of) perceived problems. But if safety is going to be defined as (operating all vessels at no more than) 5 mph or 5 knots, then that is going to be a problem.”
Harbor Commissioner Ralph Rodheim recommended that the city address the “speeding” issue by offering a special permit when races are held, allowing for higher speed in organized and controlled racing situations. “We can’t ask the Sheriff’s Department, in good conscience, to turn their heads” to unauthorized speed violations, he explained.
Chris Miller, supervisor for the city’s Harbor Resources Department, said the city attorney confirmed that allowing speed variances for sailing races may be possible.
Capt. Bergquist explained that the committee was headed down the right path, but the Harbor Patrol was also looking at how to “touch on those (boaters) who are going to be potentially in contact” or could become involved in on-the-water collisions. These harbor users include inexperienced boaters who rent small vessels for harbor cruising.
“From a boat rental standpoint, we are in the process of making sure before any boats go out that (their operators review the) Rules of the Road,” Commissioner Rodheim added. “Because they do go out and they are not experienced, we are also trying to do our part” in preventing on-the-water incidents or safety issues.
Newport Beach resident and Port Captain of Lido Isle Yacht Club Carter Ford proposed reaching out, over time, to those harbor users who are not readily identified in racing or other boating categories. His suggestion received support from the committee.
The committee suggested that the document proposed by Rose be rewritten, and the second version be distributed to “other harbor users.”
By the end of the meeting, participants were generally in agreement that staying aware of harbor safety issues, establishing clearer communication between yacht clubs and the Harbor Patrol, and maintaining a safe and user-friendly harbor were crucial.
It was decided that the draft of “Safety and Courtesy Tips for the Beer Can Regatta” would be circulated to members, who can add comments or changes. The document will then be reworked. It is scheduled to be presented during the upcoming March 12 meeting, where yacht clubs will decide whether to adopt the handout.
Proposed additions to the race notice, entry form and race instructions for the Beer Can Regatta would remind racers of required adherence to Rules of the Road, among other items.
This article first appeared in the March 2008 issue of The Log Newspaper. All or parts of the information contained in this article might be outdated. |
