December 2025
Newport Harbor Foundation Update: Lido House Reception
By Dennis Durgan
Chairman Dennis Durgan
Greetings and Happy Holidays from the Newport Harbor Foundation crew! We want to extend a huge Thank You to Bob Olson for hosting the recent Quarterly Harbor Update at his Lido House hotel on November 20th. In addition, a Big Thank You goes to Julie Ackman who helped to arrange the wonderful evening!
Vice Chairman Duffy Duffield moderated a panel of speakers including Harbormaster Paul Blank, Public Works Manager Chris Miller, former Harbor Commission Chairman Scott Cunningham & Skip Kenney who is also a current NHF Board Member. Topics covered included Significant Reassessment of Dock and Pier Permit Fees, A complete Harbor Dredging Update, State Water Board Ruling on Copper TMDL’s in Newport Harbor and an update on Mooring Permit Fees and Mooring Transferability. Duffy did and outstanding job as usual with his colorful side stories. In addition, the audience asked very important questions that were answered or taken into consideration for review @ our future Board Meetings.
One of our recommendations to the Bayfront Homeowners & Harbor Users is to get organized to work with the City Staff on what the State Lands Commission hands down with their rulings on the new Pier Permit Fees. Next, Skip Kenney informed all in attendance of a recent fire on Balboa Island on a Bayfront Dock with a boat side tied that had caught fire at 1:30am. The OC Sheriff Harbor Patrol was contacted but never showed up; Finally the NB Fire Department came to put out the fire. This event shows the need for Newport Beach Fire Boat! Note: The NBFD took a Duffy Boat out to the last 3 Fire Events in the Harbor. In addition, there really is a need for a City of Newport Beach Police Boat at some point as well. We have been working hard to help Harbormaster Blank improve the service that his Harbor Department provides. Our first priority is to increase the hours of operation to a 24/7 status. There is so much that goes on out on the Harbor after hours when the Department closes at 6:00pm! It is hopeful the increased Permit Fees will help provide funds to extend the Harbor Department hours of operation!
We are looking forward to having all of our current & past donors help spread the word about our Foundation as to help raise more donations to help our Harbor & it’s needs…Thank you in advance!
Safe Boating!
Dennis Durgan
Quarterly Issue Holidays Edition
More of What’s Inside
Lido House Reception
By Dennis Durgan
Greetings and Happy Holidays from the Newport Harbor Foundation crew!
On and Offshore Moorings Update
By Bill Kenney
By way of background, almost all of what we know as Newport Harbor is owned by the State of California and is referred to as public tidelands.
Trash Interceptor
By Marshall ‘Duffy’ Duffield
The trash interceptor located below the Fletcher Jones Mercedes dealership in the upper bay is operational.
Navigating a Busy and Changing Harbor
By Harbormaster Paul Blank
As we move into the close of 2025, the Newport Beach Harbor Department continues to evolve to meet the growing and changing demands of the most active recreational harbor on the West Coast.
Update on Orange County Coastkeeper Projects
By Devon Kelly
Orange County Coastkeeper is a non-profit clean water organization that serves to protect fresh and saltwater ecosystems. Kaysha Kenney is the Marine Restoration Director and is in charge of all their ongoing projects.
Balboa Island Ferry Electrification
By Val Lyon
As a result of new regulations promulgated by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) in 2023, the Balboa Island Ferry (BIF) is required to reduce vessel emissions, with the first compliance date being 12/31/25.
