Blips on the radar — Aug. 23 edition

Dana Point Harbor to install pile sleeves for two sportfishing docks

What Happened: The California Coastal Commission approved on Aug. 12 a request by Dana Point Harbor to install sleeves on existing guide piles attached to two sportfishing docks, which are used by sightseeing, sportfishing and whale watching vessels.

Several conditions were attached to the commission’s approval; specifically, the harbor must conduct pre- and post-construction surveys of eelgrass and Calera Taxi folia, comply with construction responsibilities and debris removal measures, engage in construction best management practices, submit final construction staging plans and maintain public rights.

“The proposed project is the least environmentally damaging alternative and adequate mitigation for the fill arising from the larger piles is part of the project,” according to a staff report. “In addition, the project has been conditioned to protect water quality and public access.”

The exterior of the existing steel concrete filled guide piles have suffered substantial deterioration that resulted in a loss of capacity and requires repair. The existing steel exteriors will remain; but as proposed, will be sleeved.

What’s On Tap: County officials will install 20 round, 14-inch outer diameter steel guide pile sleeves over the 20 existing 10-inch outer diameter round steel guide piles of Docks 1 and 2 at the sportfishing docks.

“The guide piles sleeves will be coated with a non-toxic coating. The pile guide sleeves will be driven approximately 15 feet below the mudline,” as stated in a staff report. “The existing dock will be slightly modified by trimming timber to widen the internal pile guide and timber support structures to accept the new pile guide.”

Coronado selects vendor for Glorietta Bay’s pre-construction work

What Happened: Coronado City Council unanimously voted on Aug. 18 to select Anchor QEA, L.P. as the vendor to provide consultant services for the completion of Dock C and the reconstruction of the boat launch ramp. The firm will provide the city with design plans, permits and other pre-construction services in exchange for $418,273.

Earlier this year, council members approved plans to replace the last remaining wooden dock at Glorietta Bay. Dock C is home to 34 boat slips and will be made of concrete once work is complete; Dock A and B have already been updated.

What’s On Tap: Anchor QEA will provide its services to Coronado for three years or until the completion of Dock C and the boat launch ramp, whichever occurs first. Construction is anticipated to begin in fall 2016.

Small Craft Harbor Commission endorses annual slip fee adjustment for Anchorage 47

What Happened: Los Angeles County’s Small Craft Harbor Commission granted the Department of Beaches and Harbors (DBH) the authority to annually adjust slip fees for Anchorage 47 in Marina del Rey. Commissioners approved DBH’s request to have fee adjustment flexibility by a 3-1 vote at its Aug. 12 meeting. The adjustments would be based upon high slip vacancy rates and whether Anchorage 47 is charging above market rates.

What’s On Tap: County officials are currently upgrading and modernizing Anchorage 47. Boaters could face rate increases of up to 15 percent (35-foot slips or smaller) or 25 percent (36-foot slips are larger). Boat owners would pay as much as $14.17 per foot (weighted average) for 20- to 28-foot slips; the weighted average rates incrementally increase to $15.68 per foot for a 30-foot slip to $22.40 per foot a 42-foot slip. Slip owners would pay up to $35 per foot (weighted average) for 25-, 35-, 47-, 59- and 74-foot slips in the Main Channel; an 85-foot Main Channel slip would be capped at $40 per foot (weighted average).

Each rate could be reduced by DBH officials if the department believes Anchorage 47 has too many vacant slips because of higher-than-market-rate slip fees.

Santa Barbara Harbor seeks boaters to participate in slip lottery

What Happened: Santa Barbara Harbor Operations Director Mick Kronman announced on Aug. 13 the Waterfront Department will hold a slip drawing in November and boaters can enter a drawing to be placed on the lottery list.

The lottery list for available slip permits is currently populated with 12 names. A department policy requires the lottery list to contain at least 20 but no more than 50 names. Whenever the list dips below 20 names, the department is required to solicit boaters to request participation in a slip lottery.

A lottery is held whenever the city has slips available and not claimed by someone on the department’s Master Waiting List. Santa Barbara established the Lottery List in 2005. The first iteration of the list had 50 names; boaters paid the city $40 annually to remain on the list.

What’s On Tap: Boaters can submit a Lottery Participation Request beginning Oct. 1 at 8 a.m.; the application period closes at 5 p.m. on Oct. 30. Request forms can be picked up at the Waterfront Department (132-A Harbor Way, Santa Barbara 93109) or accessed online at santabarbaraca.gov/Waterfront.

A lottery will be held at the Nov. 19 Harbor Commission meeting.

“The commission chair will draw up to 50 Lottery Participation Requests, with the intent to augment the current Lottery List by 38 names, to a total of 50,” department staff stated in a report.

Hobie statue pitched to Dana Point commission

What Happened: Supporters of Hobart “Hobie” Alter launched a campaign to erect a 27-foot bronze statue of the surfboard and catamaran maker in Dana Point. Donna Jost made a presentation to the Dana Point Arts and Culture Commission on July 15. The proposed statue would reportedly feature a 6-foot base with various depictions of Hobie’s relationship with water activities. A full-scale statue of a Hobie Cat catamaran is also included in plans. The anticipated cost to build the all-bronze Hobie statue is, reportedly, $350,000.

What’s On Tap: The Dana Point City Council will have final say of whether a statue could be built. No firm timeline is available as to when the City Council could discuss the prospect of building a Hobie statue.