Second Anchorage is needed

Second anchorage is needed

Re: Future of Newport Harbor’s second public anchorage uncertain (Dec. 4 issue). Is it fair to evaluate the demand for an anchorage based on a two-month trial run? I had no idea it was even happening, and was only aware of a special anchoring permit issued to the billionaire Rick Caruso. Southern California anchorages are steadily disappearing (San Diego Bay), or shrinking (Catalina Island, King Harbor, Long Beach, Dana Point), not because there is no demand, but because bad apples ruin it for the rest of us. Who wants to see a derelict boat out of their mega-million dollar mansion? And of course there’s the never ending push for higher revenue. Anchoring is free. Until a few years ago, Newport Beach was an oddity, where one could rent a mooring for the night for $5, next to a $50 million house (Bay Island). I assumed the harbor caretakers were mariners at heart, mysteriously able to resist the millionaire lobby, and allow ordinary people in the harbor. I, for one, would use the second anchorage. It might be a more pleasant alternative to the existing one, where all too often one gets dinged up by the obnoxiously territorial dinghy racers, or pushed out by dragging power boats out for an afternoon cocktail, in shiny yachts with not enough scope. Two months may be a long time on land, but it’s just a moment for mariners navigating the waters of this planet.

Boom Dock
Submitted on TheLog.com

Additional comments on SUP regulations

In reply to Tom’s comments Re: Oceanside Harbor seeks update for human powered craft regulation (Nov. 6 issue.). Tom states that numerous times boats violated “No Wake: regulations and had “come too close to him while kayaking on the open ocean”. OMG! What is it with these people? Now, with their windshields covered with spray and very limited visibility,  boaters (according to his thinking) are supposed to  be constantly on the alert for very low profile, difficult to even see, paddleboarders, kayaks and very fast wind surfers — on the “open ocean”; and, not only avoid them but, slow down so as to not make a wake! These people are not satisfied being hazards to navigation in the harbors, now they want the entire ocean. There needs to be some strict regulations regarding these relatively new toys. I have made some suggestions:

(1)They should be required to stay within 25 feet of docks while in the harbor and take common sense precautions and measures to avoid any conflict with boaters. (2)They should be required to stay within 300 feet of shore while outside the harbor. (3) Rental companies should be held liable for any damages caused by their rental craft. (4) Regulations should be strictly enforced with monetary penalties to ensure compliance. The lax enforcement in this area is creating hazards.

Too many have been told that ancient maritime laws dictate that human powered and wind powered craft have the “right-of-way” and therefore become complacent, thinking they will not be held liable for damages in an accident. However, the courts have held that ‘common sense’ dictates who will be held liable. I have personally seen many cases wherein these human powered operators have intentionally cut off boaters and put themselves in harms way. As they say: They may believe they are “dead right”. Either way, they are going to be the loser if hit by a powerboat or sail boat.

Wayne Ford
Huntington Beach

Put a sail on it

Re: Mother and son to pedal boat across Atlantic Ocean (Dec. 18 issue). For safety, put a sail on it and have a good sea anchor. I hope it has a great keel too! Looks like fun.

Capt. Mark Gray
Submitted on TheLog.com

Reader finds article helpful

Re: Finding your ideal marina (Dec. 18 issue). I totally enjoyed this article. I am drafting a listing agreement on real property, along the waterway in Florida at the moment and even though this article pertains to boats in marinas I found it very informative.

Jackie Collins
Submitted on TheLog.com 

Let’s get rid of sailboats first

Re: Ad hoc committee to study paddleboard use in Newport-Harbor (Dec. 18 issue). If anything should go it should be the sailboats that “sail” in the harbor. Take your boat out to the ocean if you want to sail, the harbor is too congested for your inconsistent tacking back and forth. It’s like trying to pass a bad skier in front of you.

Anonymous
Submitted on TheLog.com

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