Recreational rental businesses at Channel Islands Harbor re-open to the public

Ventura County’s health office gave recreational rental businesses at Channel Islands Harbor the green light to re-open and operate, it was announced on May 16. Ventura County Public Health Officer Dr. Robert Levin amended his Stay Safe at Home Order on May 15 to allow visitors at Channel Islands Harbor to rent boats, electric boats, jet skis, kayaks, standup paddleboards and bicycles.

The four recreational rental companies at Channel Islands Harbor are: Care Free Boat Rentals (boats); Channel Islands Kayak Center (kayaks, standup paddleboards); Hopper Boat Rentals (electric boats, kayaks, standup paddleboards); and, Southern California Jet Skis & Electric Boats (jet skis, electric boats, bicycles, surreys).

Each of the businesses were required to submit a plan, ensuring the safety of customers and employees. Mark Sandoval, Ventura County’s Harbor Department director, said his office worked with the business owners to develop and execute compliance plans.

The rental businesses are required to have proper signage, train employees on social distancing, sanitize equipment before each use, pre-book customers online and/or over the phone as much as possible, and limit multi-person rental equipment to members of the same household.

Allowing the rental businesses to re-open almost two weeks before Memorial Day weekend would benefit the storefronts and customers alike, according to Sandoval.

“Most of the recreational rental businesses are family-owned and operated and May represents a pivotal time of the year for them. I’m confident they will succeed while following these new guidelines,” Sandoval said in a released statement.