Report — Abandoned and Derelict Vessels
I hope the following information, reflecting our efforts on abandoned and derelict vessels in Newport Harbor, is helpful.
Since I assumed my role as Harbormaster, the City has taken decisive action to remove numerous abandoned or voluntarily surrendered vessels from Newport Harbor. These removals are vital for safety, navigation, and environmental protection. However, the process to secure legal authority for the removal and destruction of a privately owned vessel is necessarily lengthy and complex. To protect the City’s interests, we strictly adhere to all established legal procedures. In one recent example, the process required over two years, the formal arrest of a vessel, the engagement of outside maritime legal counsel, and two Federal Court actions.
Here’s a summary of all the abandoned or surrendered boats removed from Newport Harbor since I became Harbormaster:
Although the removal numbers demonstrate that we have made meaningful progress—often at significant cost to taxpayers—we continue to see vessels enter Newport Harbor that are likely to be abandoned or surrendered in the future. The good news is that Newport Beach has the laws and resources in place to address these situations before they become major hazards. By contrast, I recently observed six sunken vessels left languishing on the breakwater at the entrance to San Diego Harbor, where the lack of adequate legal tools and resources has allowed serious safety and water-quality risks to persist and worsen.
The Harbor Department has effectively leveraged the State of California’s Surrendered and Abandoned Vessel Exchange (SAVE) Grant to remove unsafe, unsightly, and environmentally hazardous vessels from Newport Harbor. In each of the last two grant cycles, the City received $175,000 and fully expended those funds.
Based on this strong performance, the Department was encouraged to apply for $250,000 in the upcoming grant cycle. However, statewide budget reductions reduced the overall SAVE program allocation to $1 million and capped individual awards at 10 percent of that total. As a result, the City received the maximum available award of $100,000 for the grant cycle beginning January 1, 2026, and running through September 30, 2027.
At present, six known abandoned vessels require destruction at a cost exceeding $100,000, which will fully consume the grant funds at the outset of the cycle. Accordingly, through the City’s Program Enhancement Request process, I have requested $150,000 in additional City funding specifically to address the shortfall for vessel destruction. If approved, these funds would become available on July 1, 2026.
Given the reduced availability of state funding and the ongoing need to protect public safety, navigation, and water quality in the harbor, supplemental City funding is essential to sustain this critical public-service program. Without it, vessels that are inevitably abandoned or surrendered may remain in the harbor longer than is acceptable, creating avoidable risks and environmental impacts. If the City’s funding request is not approved, or if demand increases significantly, I will continue to seek alternative funding sources to close any gaps.
I appreciate your interest in Newport Harbor’s health and safety.
Warm regards,
Paul Blank
Harbormaster
Harbor Department
City of Newport Beach
As winter approaches, I start to look back on the year, and to prepare for the new year. Very similar to looking aft while sailing downwind in a sailboat race. Doing this will keep you aware of the changing conditions. With this in mind, I checked back in with Harbormaster Paul Blank this last week.
Q: From a distance it seemed like a quiet year, no oil spills, tsunamis, down aircraft. So what did I miss?
A: There were a couple of severe weather (wind and rain) events this year. We revived the technology we use to notify mooring permittees of approaching weather and urge them to verify their mooring equipment and lines to ensure all are secure. You may recall, there was considerable attention and communication in anticipation of Hurricane Hilary arriving in August. One other of the severe weather events was a strong Santa Ana which stresses the mooring equipment from a different direction than usual, so we have significant concern about boats staying in place when faced with unusual conditions. All in all, things were fine and we greatly appreciated everyone’s preparedness in the face of these severe events.
If you have started to hear Christmas music and noticed holiday TV ads, then you know it’s time for my annual recognition of our harbor’s sailing awards.
I’ll start with the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club’s (BCYC) awards night and the juniors. Sailing director Carolyn Smith stepped up to the podium for her first time presenting awards at BCYC, and she nailed it. One can always tell if the event is someone’s first rodeo, however, Smith’s a pro and she made the night fun and memorable with clear descriptions of the awards she was presenting. The Juniors awards always brings back good times, or even more so by diluting the agony of defeat.
Nine years ago, when the 106th Annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade was held, a few of us thought something was missing.
Not that there was anything wrong with the parade, which was going to feature its usual holiday splendor. But a few people felt it needed a little extra touch that many other parades around the country usually feature.
It was a Grand Marshal.
It almost seems impossible that a parade of this caliber can be held for more than a century without a Grand Marshal. Even much smaller parades in Orange County have them, with some even having multiples for the same parade (Say you Garden Grove Strawberry Festival).
Share this entry