Worry about the tides, not freezing, here

Ahoy.

Another beautiful day in Southern California, with a picturesque

view from the Channel Islands to the snow-capped mountains, provides

yet another great day for boating in the middle of winter.

While most of the boats in the country have been winterized, our

big concern in the southland is the astronomical high tides this

week, which are greater than 7 feet. Luckily, these tides are not

combined with a storm or big surf, which would create another inlet

for the harbor at 10th Street on the Balboa Peninsula when high waves

from the ocean flow over the beach and across the street into the

bay.

These high tides can make docks float free up and over pilings,

make gangways flex upward in the wrong direction, and get dock lines

snagged on the top of pilings, lifting boats up as the tide lowers.

Additionally, with every high tide, there is a corresponding low

tide. The low tides can cause problems, too, from docks tweaking

while settling on the bay floor, to boats running aground. Strong

tidal currents created by the millions of gallons of water in the

harbor rush out the single harbor opening to the sea.

Ah, the difficulties of living in this area, as I ponder whether

to go boating today or head up the mountains to go skiing.

PERSONNEL CHANGES AFLOAT IN NEWPORT

The city of Newport Beach starts the New Year with two top

personnel changes in the Harbor Resources Division that almost leave

administration assistant Lorrie Arcese alone in the office. Tony

Melum, harbor resources director, and Wes Armand, harbor inspector,

retired at the end of December. These two have been active in the

city for decades and took personal interest in managing the harbor.

Melum, who was with the city for more than 25 years, rode out the

waves as the division went through many changes and an identity

crisis. He has acquired an institutional knowledge of the harbor

during his tenure that will be hard to duplicate. He will consult for

a period to ease the transition.

In 1957, Armand started as a seasonal lifeguard. He lived in

Mammoth for a while beto Newport Beach. He has always been active in

the harbor. He operated the first city boat used to cruise the bay

picking up debris. He has always been very active with Clean Harbor

Day, coordinating the vessels with volunteers to collect the trash

throughout the harbor.

In recognition of their years of public service, I have two

suggestions for the City Council or Harbor Commission to consider for

Melum and Armand’s legacies.

Immediately before Melum’s departure, he was working to restore

the decorative and historic finials that once adorned the top of the

pilings at every city-owned public dock. At the last harbor

commission meeting, there were tongue-in-cheek comments to rename the

finials to “Melum’s Finials,” and I think that would be well-deserved

legacy.

Additionally, Armand was instrumental in starting the city’s first

boat for cleaning the harbor, and today’s vessel is named “Clean

Sweep.” I would like to suggest renaming “Clean Sweep” to “Armand’s

Clean Sweep” or “Armand’s Armada.”

TIP OF THE WEEK

Check the tightness of the band clamps on all your vessel’s hoses.

Last weekend, I was the captain on a yacht delivery to Ensenada,

Mexico. Calm before the storm was what we experienced as we ran

directly in front of the approaching storm and the high swells by

just hours. We did spot two gray whales, but the superb visibility

was what I found most remarkable.

After arriving at the Hotel Coral Marina, we noticed the mid bilge

pump was discharging a lot of cold water. Immediately inspecting the

engine room, I found a raw water inlet hose had come loose before the

heat exchanger -- hence the cold, and not warm water.

It’s a good time of year to tighten all your fittings. The Coast

Guard recommends double band clamps, which are required on all

commercial vessels. Keep in mind, the colder nights will cause

materials to constrict, allowing band clamps to loosen.

Safe voyages.

* MIKE WHITEHEAD is the Pilot’s boating and harbor columnist.

Send him your harbor and marine-related thoughts and story

suggestions via e-mail to [email protected] or visit

BoathouseTV.com.