The quest for vessel berthing continues

MIKE WHITEHEAD

Ahoy.

I have a boating idea for the Santa Ana River from Costa Mesa to

the ocean, and this plan can help with the debate whether to build a

bridge over the river at 19th Street.

First, however, let’s digress for a moment and think about the

dock availability in Newport Harbor. You probably guessed it --

there’s no availability and there’s a waiting list, especially for

boats more than 40 feet in length. Also, a vessel berthing fire code

is being imposed, forcing yacht brokers, sailing clubs and the like

to find additional dock space. Plus, keep in mind that Newport has

the highest slip rates of any harbor in Southern California, if not

along the West Coast.

The question arises: Where can we build additional slips to

accommodate all the vessels? They should create a new marina in the

city of Costa Mesa.

For years, Costa Mesa had the slogan Hub of the Harbor, but the

city lacks a harbor. Let’s open up a Costa Mesa marina with access to

the ocean by dredging the Santa Ana River from the ocean to 19th

Street, where a marina could be built. Think about it: Modify the

Pacific Coast Highway bridge, making it a tunnel connecting Newport

to Huntington, and as a bonus, the Newport Shores inland waterway can

finally have access to the Pacific Ocean.

Pie in the sky? Probably, as the largest challenge to this plan

would be all the environmental regulations. This would solve the

issues of dredging the river for flood control and prevent the bridge

from being built at 19th Street, since a bridge would impede

sailboats.

So, that idea is out, but where in Newport Harbor can we create

more berthing for vessels? I remember an idea presented at the former

city of Newport’s Harbor Committee meetings to redesign the offshore

mooring areas with floating dock structures. The idea was to

construct docks that have berthing for four boats and the design

lessens the area that is now required to moor each vessel

individually on a mooring cans.

It’s a good idea. These types of offshore docking structures could

be equipped with utilities. One of the major disadvantages of having

an offshore mooring is the lack of utilities such as electricity,

water -- and let’s not forget -- cable TV hookups not only for TV but

for Internet access.

The docks equipped with utilities will aide boat owners in

maintaining their vessels, and vessels that require shore power, such

as an electric Duffy boat to recharge its batteries, to now have the

option of relocating to an offshore docking area. The drawbacks to

this concept are relatively few, except for the ongoing search for

dinghy storage and except for an enormous sea lion making its home on

the dock.

We need to start thinking outside the box and looking for new

innovative solutions to the lack of vessel berthing that is

artificially driving up the slip costs in Newport Harbor. Let me know

if you have seen an new concept in another harbor.

I am still keeping an eye out for the city to place location signs

on the numerous public docks around the harbor. The signs could read

“15th Street on Balboa Peninsula,” for example, to let boaters know

where they are, especially for visitors and those renting boats.

This Sunday, you will hear an incredible, attention-grabbing hour

during my Boathouse Radio Show that I have planned with an in-studio

guest and two terrific call-in guests.

In studio will be Rags Laragione, who owns the Maritime Institute

in San Diego and offers U.S. Coast Guard licensing courses and

testing. You can call in to speak with Laragione about how you can

earn your license.

Calling in from our state capital will be Ray Tsuneyoshi,

California Department of Boating and Waterways director, with his

topic of the week. We are honored to have the director taking the

time to call in every weekend.

Additionally, calling in from the high seas with the fish report

will be Capt. Norris Tapp with Davey’s Locker Sportfishing. So, tune

in to my show this and every Sunday from 4 to 5 p.m. on KCBQ AM

(1170). Also, you can call-in during the show to (888) 344-1170 and

join in Southern California’s only boating talk radio show.

Safe voyages.

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

him your harbor and marine-related thoughts and story suggestions by

e-mail to [email protected] or visit https://www.boathousetv.com.