Entries by NHF Administrator
$8.3 million in infrastructure bill to dredge Newport Harbor, but sand projects at standstill
By Laylan Connelly – Orange County Register Officials have secured $8.3 million to dredge Newport Harbor in the $14 billion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, but sand replenishment projects for two stretches of Orange County coastline were not included. U.S. Rep. Michelle Steel said dredging of Newport Beach’s harbor is long overdue in her announcement […]
Meet Paul Blank, Newport Beach Harbormaster
Corona del Mar resident Paul Blank was named Newport Beach Harbormaster last spring, a grand achievement to cap off an on-the-water lifestyle that began at age 10 with a two-week sailing class offered through the city’s recreation department. The harbormaster’s job is typically described as being a lead ambassador for Newport Harbor, one of the largest recreational harbors in the country, and includes overseeing a dozen or so employees and an annual budget of $1 million-plus. But like most things in the past year or so, the first several months have been filled with surprises. I caught up with him to learn more.
William “Skip” Kenney Named to Newport Harbor Foundation Board of Directors
Newport Harbor Foundation Chairman Dennis Durgan has announced the addition of Newport Beach Harbor Commission Chairman William “Skip” Kenney to the Foundation’s board of directors. Kenney joins former Newport Beach Harbormaster Dennis Durgan, Val Lyon, and Devon Kelly. “As we build out our board of directors Skip Kenney’s almost eight years of service as a […]
Devon Kelly Named to Newport Harbor Foundation Board of Directors
Longtime Newport Beach resident Devon Kelly has joined the Newport Harbor Foundation board of directors. “Devon brings a wealth of harbor history and knowledge to the Foundation’s mission. She has spent her entire life sailing on the bay and volunteering in the community. Her boundless energy is welcome as we push towards taking our harbor […]
Newport Harbor Foundation holds kickoff champagne brunch
It’s been more than five decades since Newport Beach City Councilman Marshall “Duffy” Duffield started his Duffy Electric Boat company. Duffield built his first boat when he was 16 years old. His company has sold tens of thousands of boats and become synonymous with Newport Beach, where Duffy rides on the harbor are the norm. […]
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Newport Harbor Foundation Aims to Return Local Control of Newport Harbor to City of Newport Beach
Last week 175 residents, political leaders, and Newport Harbor supporters donated over $550,000 to kick off the Newport Harbor Foundation. The Foundation’s goal is to return local control of our harbor to the city. We celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Duffy Electric Boat. Duffy’s passion for the harbor spans decades. With 25 miles of […]
Local group announces major fundraising strides toward assuming sole jurisdiction of our Harbor
Some 175 community leaders, harbor residents and elected officials gathered at the Balboa Bay Resort yesterday for a kickoff luncheon acknowledging the fundraising success of the Newport Harbor Foundation (NHF). The NHF announced that they’ve raised more than $275,000 to support an effort to have the Newport Beach Police, Fire and Harbormaster assume sole jurisdiction […]
Balboa Peninsula: Duffy house sells for more than $35 million, shattering record in Newport Harbor
By Sandra Barrera, Orange County Register Remember the waterfront mansion on Newport Beach’s Balboa Peninsula that generated international buzz with a YouTube video that spoofed Cali Swag District’s viral dance hit “Teach Me How to Dougie?” The video for “Teach Me How to Duffy” helped sell the house for $35.008 million – about 22.2% less […]
THE NEW YORK TIMES: Where Hollywood’s Golden Age Stars Found Safe Harbor
Visitors to Newport Beach today might know the coastal Southern California city from “The Real Housewives,” “The O.C.” and “Arrested Development,” all of which were set amid its rolling green hills and picture-perfect beaches. But I had come to Newport Beach to commune with the stars of Old Hollywood, who began staking their claim to […]
NEWPORT BEACH INDEPENDENT: Harbormaster: Year in Review
After taking over management of the moorings from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Harbor Patrol last summer, Harbormaster Dennis Durgan provided a “Year in Review” summary for the Newport Beach Harbor Commission on Wednesday. Commissioners asked a few questions and expressed support for the work the Harbormaster team has done over the past 15 months. […]
THE LOG: A State of Transition: Newport Beach Forges New Harbor Department
The city of Newport Beach, steadily considered a premier boating destination, has made strides, in the last year, to improve services, amenities and educational information available to recreational boaters, residents and tourists. A model was also introduced for a freshly conceived Harbor Department, which also happens to be “new to the world,” according to several […]
THE LOG: Newport Beach approves contract to campaign for federal dredging funds
The Newport Beach City Council approved an agreement with a firm for federal advocacy services related to harbor dredging efforts and programs, Feb. 27. Carpi & Clay was retained to represent Newport Beach at the federal level in hopes the firm would help bring the city’s issues to the forefront when it comes to harbor […]
“Just Duffy” – Catching up with Newport Beach Mayor Marshall Duffield
NEWPORT BEACH — In the efforts to track down Marshall “Duffy” Duffield, the new mayor of Newport Beach, it seemed quite ominous his reply to an email correspondence about scheduling an interview stated, “I’m around,” with his phone number attached.
THE LOG: Harbormaster guiding transition of mooring management, harbor operations
The mooring management and harbor operations shift from Orange County Sheriff’s Department to the city of Newport Beach has been a fairly smooth transition as Harbormaster Dennis Durgan assumes his role. Durgan took over the responsibility of overseeing more than 1,200 moorings from the Sheriff Department’s Harbor Patrol Division in July, with Newport Beach hiring […]
