Connecting the dots around the harbor.

Line drawing of NHYC

I feel it is time to update on whats going on around the harbor now that fall has arrived and it’s 101 degrees today.

It is official the Newport Harbor Yacht Club will begin demolition of the club house the first part of January 2017. The news should make for a rather interesting New Years Party to start the new year off with a boom rather than a bang. The process has been drawn out for a long time, first applying for city permits in 2012. Part of the final terms with the Coastal Commission requires the club to fund $350,000 toward public-access improvements. These funds have been directed to build a public pier at the Central Ave bridge, next to The Elks Club in Lido Village. From my sidelines chair it all seems good to me. Although I kind of feel for now Vice Commodore Dwight Belden who will be the Commodore next year with first reports indicating that the construction of the club house will take up to eighteen months. I hope he can keep his parking place.

Next I heard that, during this last week of September 2016, that my very good friend Jim Warner is getting some new wheels. No Warner is not getting a new Jeep, Warner is the Travel Lift operator at the Newport Harbor Shipyard which will be receiving and building a new 85 BFMII Marine Travelift this week. This is the newest model from the Travelift company and comes with all the bells and whistles like a sound suppression system, all wheel electronic steering to maximize maneuverability, spreader bars to lift a wider variety of hull designs. While on the phone this last week with yard manager Jesse Salemen informed me that they do not plan on naming the Travelift or christening it although you can hear the excitement in his voice about the shipyard newest purchase. Should be interesting watching it all put together this week and you thought that Ikea furnishings came with difficult assembly instructions.

I learned a few new things this week while attending this months Harbor Commission meeting. I have reported in the past that it is always good to see our Harbor Master Lt Mark Alsobrook

along with Deputy Kevin Webster giving their reports to the Harbor Commissioners. In regards to the use of the temporary anchorage in the turning basin, just in front of Lido Village. Lt. Alsobrook reported that from June 6th to August 28 sixty-one different vessels used the anchorage. Of this sixty-one many were repeat customers, with thirteen vessels spending the night. The Harbor Patrol made two hundred and thirty-one patrols of this area during this time. 

Regarding our moorings there where one hundred and thirty-one rentals, nine transfers and three derelict boats removed during the same time period. It is my understanding that the temporary anchorage will stay open until Oct 15. I feel that this anchorage has been a great success and should be continued in the future. I still do have concerns with the Jet Pack  companies being allowed to use this same area, my personal opinion is that the Jet Pack  should be moved outside the harbor in the Big Corona area. Next there will be drone’s pulling board riders and I hope that also get placed outside the harbor.

2014's Route on the ferry

There is a big save the date that I recommend you place on your calendars now! December 10th at 9:00 AM the Harbor Commission will be touring the harbor aboard one of the Balboa Island car ferry’s. This idea was done a couple of years ago and was a big success with all the Harbor Commissioners attending and reviewing their objectives. Attending this event will be the harbor department, harbor resources department and city council members. Topics may include if the Jet Pac should stay in the turning basin, what is a derelict boat, should we have more than one launch ramp, acceptable noise levels on the harbor, best use of The Castaways property, public piers, harbor standards that will blend into the City’s sustainability plan and so much more. I personally enjoy standing behind council members trying to ease drop into their conversations, there could also be three new council members attending this event. Mark your calendars now. For more information contact Harbor Commissioner Joe Stapleton at joems55@gmail.com who is chairing this event.

For me its all about the Harbor 20 fleet one championships on October 8th and 9th. All our harbors best sailors will be competing to be champ, my wife Jennifer and I will be sailing our boat Only Child hull number 108 this year.  Wish us luck.

Boat name of the week: Hum Babe

Sea ya