High Marks from Pumpout & Dump Station Monitoring Program

Southern California Clean Vessel Act Pumpout & Dump Station Monitoring Program

Recent surveys were conducted on the following Public Docks on Sep 27, 2022.


Fernando Street Pumpout Station

Summary of the survey:


Overall Status[1]
Unit was: Operational

Pumpout Usability Score[2]

  • Pumpout usability score for this quarter: 94.44

Usability Measurements

  • Vacuum at the nozzle in inHg (optimum is 22): 24.0
  • Pumpout time for 5 gallons of water in seconds (20 or less is optimum): 10.0

Dye Table Test[3]

  • Dye tab performed (if previously authorized): Yes
  • Leak detected: No

Notes from Monitoring Team

  • The unit is working great.
[1] This status is immediately displayed on the Pumpout Nav app. If not accurate, please contact us at the emails listed above.
[2] Pumpout usability score is determined in part by the above measurements and indicates the likelihood of a boater having a positive experience at this disposal unit. An annual California Pumpout Report can be downloaded here.
[3] We offer a free voluntary dye tablet test (if previously authorized) when conducting our quarterly monitoring of the disposal unit. This allows us to detect any leaks in your sewage system.


15th Street Pumpout Station (Near Unit)

Summary of the survey:


Overall Status[1]
Unit was: Operational

Pumpout Usability Score[2]

  • Pumpout usability score for this quarter: 94.44

Usability Measurements

  • Vacuum at the nozzle in inHg (optimum is 22): 23.0
  • Pumpout time for 5 gallons of water in seconds (20 or less is optimum): 10.0

Dye Table Test[3]

  • Dye tab performed (if previously authorized): Yes
  • Leak detected: No

Notes from Monitoring Team

  • Unit works really great!
[1] This status is immediately displayed on the Pumpout Nav app. If not accurate, please contact us at the emails listed above.
[2] Pumpout usability score is determined in part by the above measurements and indicates the likelihood of a boater having a positive experience at this disposal unit. An annual California Pumpout Report can be downloaded here.
[3] We offer a free voluntary dye tablet test (if previously authorized) when conducting our quarterly monitoring of the disposal unit. This allows us to detect any leaks in your sewage system.


15th Street Pumpout Station (Far Unit)

Summary of the survey:


Overall Status[1]
Unit was: Operational

Pumpout Usability Score[2]

  • Pumpout usability score for this quarter: 97.22

Usability Measurements

  • Vacuum at the nozzle in inHg (optimum is 22): 22.0
  • Pumpout time for 5 gallons of water in seconds (20 or less is optimum): 9.2

Dye Table Test[3]

  • Dye tab performed (if previously authorized): Yes
  • Leak detected: No

Notes from Monitoring Team

  • Unit is working great! Thank you for meeting me George – always a pleasure!
[1] This status is immediately displayed on the Pumpout Nav app. If not accurate, please contact us at the emails listed above.
[2] Pumpout usability score is determined in part by the above measurements and indicates the likelihood of a boater having a positive experience at this disposal unit. An annual California Pumpout Report can be downloaded here.
[3] We offer a free voluntary dye tablet test (if previously authorized) when conducting our quarterly monitoring of the disposal unit. This allows us to detect any leaks in your sewage system.


Balboa Yacht Basin Pumpout Station

Summary of the survey:


Overall Status[1]
Unit was: Operational

Pumpout Usability Score[2]

  • Pumpout usability score for this quarter: 83.33

Usability Measurements

  • Vacuum at the nozzle in inHg (optimum is 22): 22.0
  • Pumpout time for 5 gallons of water in seconds (20 or less is optimum): 10.0

Dye Table Test[3]

  • Dye tab performed (if previously authorized): Yes
  • Leak detected: No

Notes from Monitoring Team

  • The unit is working great! However, I recommend replacing the nozzle as it is folding in on itself. Thank you.
[1] This status is immediately displayed on the Pumpout Nav app. If not accurate, please contact us at the emails listed above.
[2] Pumpout usability score is determined in part by the above measurements and indicates the likelihood of a boater having a positive experience at this disposal unit. An annual California Pumpout Report can be downloaded here.
[3] We offer a free voluntary dye tablet test (if previously authorized) when conducting our quarterly monitoring of the disposal unit. This allows us to detect any leaks in your sewage system.


Balboa Fun Zone Pumpout Station

Summary of the survey:


Overall Status[1]
Unit was: Operational

Pumpout Usability Score[2]

  • Pumpout usability score for this quarter: 91.67

Usability Measurements

  • Vacuum at the nozzle in inHg (optimum is 22): 25.0
  • Pumpout time for 5 gallons of water in seconds (20 or less is optimum): 15.0

Dye Table Test[3]

  • Dye tab performed (if previously authorized): Yes
  • Leak detected: No

Notes from Monitoring Team

  • The unit is working great!
[1] This status is immediately displayed on the Pumpout Nav app. If not accurate, please contact us at the emails listed above.
[2] Pumpout usability score is determined in part by the above measurements and indicates the likelihood of a boater having a positive experience at this disposal unit. An annual California Pumpout Report can be downloaded here.
[3] We offer a free voluntary dye tablet test (if previously authorized) when conducting our quarterly monitoring of the disposal unit. This allows us to detect any leaks in your sewage system.

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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).