Lower Bay Dredging Update No. 7.

This is my Lower Bay Dredging Update No. 7.

·        Please see the attached Figure No. 4.  Our first milestone:  We’ve completed the area by the Balboa Bay Club on Coast Highway, so it’s now shaded green on the figure.   The other orange areas represent where we are currently dredging, or are in the process of dredging. 

·        We’re still focusing on the Port of Long Beach material, and have been working in the channel between Lido Isle and the Peninsula for a couple weeks now. This is the lion’s share of the material, so the big dredge and larger scow have been working hard in this area.  You may have also noticed an accelerated schedule for a few days this week.  This is because RES was able to borrow (rent) a disposal scow from a contractor in Los Angeles who was idle for a few days.  This quick thinking allowed RES to more than double their production rate this week – a positive move indeed.

·        The smaller dredge is working in the anchorage area between Lido Isle and Bay Island in order to cut a wider access channel for the project.  This material can be disposed in the open ocean disposal site, so they can maximize their production due to the quick turnaround time for disposal trips.

·        I will keep everyone informed if we need the waterfront homeowners to move their boats for the one or two days that RES will be near their docks.  So far, this hasn’t been a problem, and RES has been able to work around most situations.  But, as a reminder, there could be splashing of water and mud, so it is advised that you check your boat and wash it down if necessary.

·        I anticipate we’ll be retuning the North Bay Front channel within the next two weeks to work in the yellow area on the Figure, and to touch up some of the orange area.  There will be some impact to the slip tenants at the Balboa Yacht Basin as well as to the entrance channel to Promontory Bay.  RES will work with the boaters if they need access, but we ask for your patience as you may have to stand by until there is a good opportunity to move the dredge barge.

·        Once again, many thanks to the harbor community for hanging in there during the project.  We’re making progress, and every day that passes brings us closer to the finish line.

·        As always, please be mindful of the dredge operations, and please warn your family, friends and customers (boat, kayak, SUP rentals etc…) to stay clear of the dredge and tug boat operations.

·        The information in these updates can also be viewed online at: http://www.newportbeachca.gov/lowerbaydredging  (There may be some lag time between this email and our postings.)

·        If you would like to receive these updates, please email me your contact information.

Thank you,

Chris Miller

Harbor Resources Manager

( (949) 644-3043  * cmiller@newportbeachca.gov

By Len Bose

June 14, 2012 | 7:41 p.m.

I decided to do a "walkabout" around the harbor in search of this week's story and happened to fall upon one at the Newport Harbor Shipyard. Kamalii is a 75-foot Rhodes ketch design, which was originally built for Edward Doheny in 1958 by Wilbo boat works in Wilmington.

She sailed in five races from Los Angeles to Hawaii between 1961 and 1969, and has spent the last few years behind Bay Island. She was recently sold to a buyer from New Zealand, and is having her hull and systems repaired by Richard Strizzi and Rick Brown.

The new owners plan to sail her back to New Zealand on her own bottom to complete her restoration. I have always admired the quality of work performed by Richard Strizzi in his wooden boat restorations.

One of his recent restorations was the Cathleen, a Calkins 50 that has been on the Newport Beach 20 most interesting boats list for the past two years. While talking to Richard he was concerned that most of our harbor's wooden boats have been purchased from buyers from outside of the country who no longer reside locally.

It appears that Kamalii will keep Richard's and Rick's crew busy for the next couple weeks. Make sure you stop by and check out their work; it's art in progress.

My next destination was the Orange Coast College sailing base, where I wanted to meet with the director and Harbor Commissioner Brad Avery. As a harbor commissioner, Brad has been tasked with chairing a steering committee for Harbor Visioning. This is a very difficult assignment because at the speed of local government, nothing ever appears to get accomplished, and all efforts seem to be in vain.

The other day, I walked into a Harbor Commission meeting with Brad and we touched on the subject. I immediately got the feeling that Brad was going to accomplish his task and create a tool that the Tidelands Committee and City Council will use for years to come.

You might be asking, what is Harbor Visioning? My understanding is that it's a process that will define harbor improvements for generations to come.

Commissioner Avery recently wrote a letter to the editor published in the Daily Pilot on May 24.

Brad explains the process much better than I ever can, with topics including dredging, Marina Park and services for mooring lessees. In his letter he explains that: "It's vitally important that we consider every idea. The best ideas usually come from those who use the harbor and know it well, but we need fresh input from all citizens."

Please contact our harbor commissioners and take the time to express your ideas with them. The way I see this is that harbor users just cannot lay back in their hammocks and let someone else deal with this. It's time to step up, get on watch, and pull your weight.

This weekend is the Balboa Yacht Club's Championships Regatta, which is split apart in three classes. This Saturday is the Masters for members over the age of 55 and the Family Championships. The family event is for members and their immediate families.

The two events will be sailed in front of the club, with play-by-play analysis from the race tower and finishes off the main dock with cannon fire for the winners. Start time is noon for the Masters and 3:30 p.m. for the Family. Last year's race was a huge success and everyone is welcome to watch from the dock and cheer for their favorite teams.

Sunday is the Club Championships and or "the race for the parking place."

This year's competition is the toughest it's ever been and I will have to sail well above my ability to make it to the podium. I also wanted everyone to know that my column will run every Friday again.

Sea ya!

LEN BOSE is an experienced boater, yacht broker and boating columnist

Mailbag: We need the public's input on the harbor

May 24, 2012 | 9:22 p.m.

If Newport Harbor’s future is important to you, this is the time to contribute to a process that will define harbor improvements for generations to come.  Harbor Commissioner Brad Avery invites your thoughts and urges you to participate.  Read on:

When it comes to Newport Harbor, everyone agrees on two things: It's one of the finest small craft harbors in the world and it's essentially built out. The 1,200 private homes on the bay take up 85% of the waterfront. The remaining portion is occupied by commercial operations, public access areas and public institutions.

The harbor is magnificent, thanks to careful public and private stewardship over the past 100 years.

Looking ahead, the harbor will remain essentially the same beautiful place for the next 100 years, with many improvements for all users. However, this will only happen if we provide at least an equal amount of planning and funding that was contributed by citizens and City Hall over the last century.

The harbor may be built out, but it will never be finished. The elements are against us: higher water, silt, rot, corrosion, erosion. We demand cleaner water, better services and character preservation.

A comprehensive vision for the harbor exists. "Harbor and Bay Element, fourth chapter of the city's 2006 General Plan, sets forth goals and policies based on the outcomes from a four-year public process. In broad terms, the 18-page document shows the way forward for managing and improving Newport Harbor for generations to come. It is a reflection of our values, a guide for decision making and a view to our harbor's future. It was approved by voters, and it's easily found on the city's website.

The heavy lifting needed to implement the plan led to the creation of Tidelands Management Committee, formed a year ago by then-Mayor Mike Henn and council members Nancy Gardner and Ed Selich. Along with a citizens' advisory group, the committee is working toward the completion of a master infrastructure plan for the harbor, Upper Newport Bay and our beaches.

It is also coming to grips with the challenges of financing what will ultimately be a budget in excess of $100 million. Regardless of revenue issues, a solid plan is needed to fulfill the vision of the 2006 Harbor and Bay Element.

This is where you come in. Despite many public meetings on this subject, informed input is still needed. What improvements do you think the harbor needs? Below is a partial list of the infrastructure improvements being considered. Additionally, the Harbor Commission is seeking ways to retain harbor character and improve services.

Infrastructure items

•Lower bay dredging (now occurring). New higher seawall for Balboa Island. Build Marina Park and Mariner's Mile Walkway.

Harbor character/services

•Should there be a limit on the size of vessels in the harbor? Do current pier head and/or project lines need adjustment? Should Newport conduct its own on-going dredging?

•Should Lower Castaways be developed for public small boat launching? Is a water taxi service needed? How do we keep marine businesses on the waterfront? How do we improve services for mooring lessees?

It's vitally important that we consider every idea. The best ideas usually come from those who use the harbor and know it well, but we need fresh input from all citizens.

Please email any harbor commissioner with your thoughts about maintaining and improving Newport Harbor. The commission welcomes your input. Our next meeting is at 6 p.m. June 13 in the Council Chambers. The Tidelands Management Committee will review the Infrastructure Master Plan in detail at its meeting at 4 p.m. June 20 at the Oasis Senior Center.

•Duffy Duffield: duffy@duffyboats.com

•Brad Avery: brad@occsailing.com

•Duncan McIntosh: duncan@goboating.com

•Chairman Ralph Rodheim

•Karen Rhyne: rhyneharbor@aol.com

My View of the AEGEAN boat crash

I have to assume you have read The Daily Pilots reports regarding the sinking of the yacht AEGEAN.

I first noticed the boat and crew on April 26^th the night of the send off party at BCYC. I had volunteered as a gangway attendant that allowed boat owners and crews access to their boats while keeping the general public off the docks.

The crew of the AEGEAN was easily spotted with their blue shirts that read “I am on a boat” and their blue hats. The crew walked past me many times throughout the night and showed no signs of over serving themselves. Because the boat was slipped next to the gangway I was able to watch the crew step on and off their vessel many times throughout the night. With 25 years of being a yacht broker I can tell from just watching people approach a boat and how they board them if they are very experienced or not.

My observations of this crew, this was not their first rodeo, they where having fun as a team and staying under control. In fact I recall they all had returned to their boat by 9:30 PM the night of the send off party.

I am not sure what happened to this crew but if I was to guess; they had their dinner at 8:00 Pm and where just west of the boarder. The wind had died down to under 5 knots at about 11:00 and the crew of the AEGEAN probably started their engine and reduced the watch to one person while the engine and autopilot did their work.

What happened next we will never know, but if I was to continue with my conclusion the one crew member left on deck grabbed his blanket and placed his back to the forward bulkhead of the cockpit and was facing aft. He then would fall asleep, wake up take a look around and then fall asleep again. I know from experience if you allow yourself to fall into that routine you will fall into a deeper sleep each time. When I catch myself doing this, on the delivery trip home the other day, I stand up and turn on my Ipod on.

For what’s its worth, that’s what I think what happened. The crew member on watch fell asleep at the wheel and the boat ran into the North Coronado island.

Tragic yes but this happens in cars every year. Nothing can be said to the family’s for their loses other than, “from my family to yours we wish you the best and am sorry for your loss.

Sea ya

I crack myself up sometimes!

Purchased me a new vessel yesterday, "Im on a boat!". Salesman at pool supply store looked at me funny when I asked him where do I register
this vessel?

Next, You should have seen the expression on the salesman face at Big 5 when I asked " if they had any thongs that would fit me"? It took me about three minutes before I figured I needed to change my question to "Do you have any sandals, flip flops, go aheads, slippers? Andrew was tearing up he was laughing so hard.
GOOD TIMES!

HELP SUPPORT SAILING IN NEWPORT HARBOR!

                                Roy Jones J 133 TANGO  Leading the 2012 High Point Series

Harbor Commissioners,

Last Harbor Commission meeting I spoke on my request for funding regarding the Newport High Point Series. The concept is to purchase 8 Annual Parking permits, $ 1,200, and award them to the winners of the series. It appears, I did not receive support from the Special Events Advisory Committee    http://newportbeach.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=44&event_id=66&meta_id=125766.

The whole idea of this request is to promote big boat sailing around our harbor. Over the last five years participation has dropped dramatically and my thought was to return to a grass roots effort and promote sailing from within our harbor. One event that has been in place for many years is the Association of Yacht Clubs (AOCYC) Newport Beach High Point Series. This series takes place between all the different yacht clubs within our harbor. The American Legion Midwinters, the first race of the Balboa Yacht Clubs 66 Series, The first two races of Newport HarborYacht Clubs Ahmanson Series, 1st race of Bahia Corinthians Yacht Clubs Gil Knudson Series and NOSA Argosy Regatta.

There has been a large effort to bring more awareness to this event by our local yacht clubs and by myself as a harbor reporter. With the addition of some type of support shown by the City of Newport Beach IE "The Annual Parking Permits" the interest level will grow as will participation.  

Rather than placing a wall of text in front of you with all the reasons why I feel this is a win win for everyone involved. Please contact our council members and support my request for funding. I welcome you call if you would like more information.

Council votes on funding tomorrow! 

respectfully

Len Bose

(714) 916-0200

Newport High Point Scoreboard 2012

http://lenboseyachts.blogspot.com/2012/03/2012-newport-beach-high-point-series.html

                                          AMANTE In  a close second place

Hello Readers,

If any of you like this “silly Idea” of mine please contact The City of Newport Beach City Council TODAY via email! (Please Bcc the council members)

MHenn@NewportBeachCa.gov , SRosansky@NewportBeachCa.gov, RHill@NewportBeachCa.gov , lesliejdaigle@aol.com, EdSelich@roadrunner.com, NGardner@NewportBeachCa.gov, curryk@pfm.com,

Dear City Council Member,

Please consider the funding request during your review of item # 14 on your agenda tonight “Special event support recommendations” and the  “Newport High Point Series” request for 8 annual parking permits to be awarded to the winners of this series.

This request will go a long way in promoting boating and provide a positive feeling of camaraderie throughout our harbor.

These are the minutes from my presentation to the Special Events Advisory Committee

Newport High Point Series (Len Bose and Pat Schumacher) Q. Mr. Cole asked if the event is just for yacht club members; 
A. Most of them are yacht club members and half of the participants are Newport

Beach residents. 
Q. Mr. Cole asked what economic benefits there would be for the City; 
A. The boaters are using their boats and potentially using the restaurants,VonsPavilions

food, shipyard use, etc. 
Q. Ms. Dinwiddie asked if the event will still occur if the City does not provide the $1,200

to purchase the eight annual parking passes for the winning boat’s crew; 
A. Yes. The event would still go on but the parking passes would not be purchased as

prizes.

4Q. Mr. Topping asked how many boats will be involved; 
A. Hopefully about 40 boats in the event. All boats would be from Newport Beach. 
Q. Ms. Higgins asked what else besides writing about the event they could do to

promote boating in the harbor; 
A. He’s hoping with the incentive of racing for the parking passes, others will write

about it in their newsletters as well

   Check the Newport High Point Score board, Then  ask yourself if you would if you like the idea of winning annual parking permits?????

The Harbor Report: New boating season opens

        BYC Opening Day 2012
By Len Bose

May 15, 2012 | 9:12 p.m.

Place the finishing touches on your boat, go for a sail, put your favorite shirt on, break out the band, your red Solo cup, and head down to the yacht club.

That was the order of business within our harbor last week as we celebrated the opening days of the 2012 season.

The events started on May 9, with 38 boats sailing in Newport Harbor Yacht Club's Opening Day race from Long Beach to Newport. The weather was clear with a southwesterly breeze that provided us with a close reach down the course.

Everyone was out sailing, from Windward Passage to Calegama. I was helming Roy Jones J 133 Tango and, as we crossed the finish line, we all looked back in as Windward Passage and Ragtime were close on our stern.

Seeing these two boats sailing in the same waters made me flash back to the stories I read of their close TransPac finish of 1973, when the Australian splinter Ragtime beat out Windward Passage by four minutes in a 2,225-mile race to Hawaii. This time it was Windward Passage beating the splinter in this 14-mile opening day race by two minutes.

Lido Isle Yacht Club started its opening day on May 5 with an annual parade around the Isle. I later noticed a photo of the club's Commodore Carter Ford and Judy Weightman saluting the camera in perfect yachting tradition as they toured the parade route.

Wish I could have been there for that one; seeing the photo makes me smile.

May 6 marked Newport Harbor Yacht Club's turn. The crowd responded in droves. For me, the height of the day was when 15 members of USC's marching band were on the main dock and started playing "Tusk."

On May 12, the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club (BCYC), "the friendliest club on the bay," became "the proudest club on the bay" in receiving the 2011 SCYA Club of the Year and YRUSC Yachting Service Excellence awards.

Down the dock, the Balboa Yacht Club (BYC) celebrated its 90th opening day with Commodore Judi Gorski, BYC's first female commodore, christening the club's new committee boat Defiant, then commenting on the club's commitment to yachting and our harbor. With the sound of the cannon shot echoing throughout the harbor on this sunny day in May, the 2012 season was now officially open!

That means it's time for Monday nights at the American Legion, BCYC Taco Tuesdays, BYC Wednesday Twilights and Thursday beer cans.

Special attention must be given to the dredging equipment this season, which is a good thing.

Please note that this year's beer cans will have a course change. Odds are pretty good that beer cans will be more like the winter's Sunkist Series, with starting inside the harbor, a sprint out to the Balboa Pier and then finishing back inside.

Special attention is due, and another cannon should be shot for Duffy Duffield, Carter Ford, Don Stoughton, Bill Moses, George Hylkema, Mark Sites, Chip Donnelly and the other members of the Newport Mooring Assn. who saved the city hundreds of thousands of dollars and volunteered thousands of hours in realigning our mooring fields.

A well done from the harbor users would be appreciated the next time you see any of the above mentioned. They got it done, and this week you will start seeing the mooring being realigned.

For more photos and comments, please go to my blog site at lenboseyachts.blogspot.com.

Sea ya!

LEN BOSE is an experienced boater, yacht broker and boating columnist

This is my Lower Bay Dredging Update No. 5.

Hi Everyone,

This is my Lower Bay Dredging Update No. 5.

·        Please see the attached Figure No. 3.  We’ve added a new color to the map which shows where the dredger will be in the next 1-2 weeks.  This should help folks plan ahead. 

·        The larger dredge “Palomar” has moved from the Balboa Bay Club area to the eastern tip of Lido Isle.  They are digging a narrow channel that will allow them to access the larger channel along Via Lido Soud and the peninsula which is where the large volume of POLB-bound material is located. They’ll be working near the eastern tip of Lido for about 6-7 more days before they round the corner into the main channel.

·        The smaller dredge “180” took the place of the larger dredge at the Balboa Bay Club.  This dredge has a smaller bucket so the production is slower. However, there’s only about one week to go before they can move on from this area.

·        There are 3 disposal scows working at the two different dredge locations – quite a lot of activity indeed!

·        After the Balboa Bay Club area is complete, they’ll start near Collins Isle and dig their way into the channel along North Bay Front in order to reach the POLB-bound material near the Balboa Yacht Basin.

·        If you are a mooring permittee in the “D” mooring field (between Bayside Drive and Balboa Island), now is the time to move your vessel to another mooring.  Please call the Harbor Patrol at (949) 723-1002,  and they’ll be happy to assign you a different mooring elsewhere in the harbor at no charge to you.  If your boat is not moved, South Mooring Company will move both the boat and the mooring to a different, temporary location in the harbor.  We would prefer not to move the boat ourselves, so please help the project out by calling the Harbor Patrol to temporarily move the vessel yourself.   We anticipate that we’ll be working in this area for about 3-4 weeks (estimated).

·        Extended working hours:  As you may have heard by now, the dredger has been authorized to work at any hour day/night in order to meet the deadline for the Port of Long Beach window.  As previously mentioned, it is critical that we meet this disposal window, or we will not have any other feasible alternative for sediment disposal in those areas.  Therefore, we’ve allowed the dredger to “chase the tides” which means they’ll be working a full shift whenever the tide is high enough to float the fully loaded barges out of the harbor.  So, they won’t be working a constant 24 hour shift, but will be working the optimal hours to achieve the best results.  The City sincerely apologizes for the inconvenience, and we thank the harbor community for their patience during this important project. 

·        For the folks who live on Via Lido Soud, it is advisable that you please move your boat (if it overhangs beyond the end of the finger floats) for the 1 day when the dredger is in front of your dock.  They will stay at least 15’ away from your dock, but if you have a boat that overhangs past your finger floats, they will probably stay 15’ away from your boat as well. This isn’t necessarily a problem, but the closest they can get to their specified dredge footprint, the better.  It will even improve the approach to your slip as well!

·        I am recommending dock owners to move their boat regardless, because inevitably, the boats will get splashed with water and maybe mud.  I’ve been watching the operations, and frankly, it looks like a clean process, but you may not want to take the chance.  The dredger will not be responsible for cleaning up mud or water off boats or docks.

·        Sometimes access will be limited in certain areas of the harbor.  We will do our best to reduce the time we may be blocking access to and from a dock or a channel, but we ask that you please plan ahead. I will continue to provide updates giving folks as much lead time as possible.  This also applies to the tenants at the Balboa Yacht Basin and even Promontory Bay.  Again, we’ll do our best to minimize the inconvenience.

·        As always, please be mindful of the dredge operations, and please warn your family, friends and customers (boat, kayak, SUP rentals etc…) to stay clear of the dredge and tug boat operations.

·        A big ‘Thank You’ to all who attended the annual Sailing / Charter / Rental Boat outreach program yesterday when we discussed the impact that the project will have on this summer’s activities.  Again, thank you for bearing with us.

·        The anchorage has been temporarily relocated to the western end of Lido Isle for the duration of the project.

·        The information in these updates can also be viewed online at: http://www.newportbeachca.gov/lowerbaydredging  (There may be some lag time between this email and our postings.)

·        If you would like to receive these updates, please email me with your contact information.

Thank you,

Chris Miller

Harbor Resources Manager

( (949) 644-3043  * cmiller@newportbeachca.gov