Newport Harbor Underwater Cleanup Returns Sept. 21
By Newport Indy Staff – August 29, 2024
Source: Newport Beach Independent https://www.newportbeachindy.com/newport-harbor-underwater-cleanup-returns-sept-21/
The Newport Harbor Underwater Cleanup, in partnership with the City of Newport Beach, has announced the 4th Annual Newport Harbor Underwater Cleanup scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 21 at Marina Park in Newport Beach.
Launched in 2017 by Help Your Harbor’s founders—former Newport Beach mayor Marshall “Duffy” Duffield and local environmentalists Billy Dutton and Mark Ward — NHUC hosted three years of sold-out cleanup events at the Balboa Bay Club before being put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Divers gathering trash from Newport Harbor. Photo courtesy of Newport Harbor Underwater Cleanup
“We’re thrilled to expand this year’s event at our new location,” says Billy Dutton, co-founder of NHUC and Help Your Harbor. “The Newport Marina Park site allows for much greater community participation, with volunteers helping to clean up our harbor both above and below the water. The addition of the International Coastal Cleanup Day celebration at Marina Park that afternoon will bring together over two dozen organizations and their volunteers, all committed to protecting our precious marine environment.”
Volunteer scuba divers and onshore participants will unite once again to search Newport Harbor for trash, plastics, and other pollutants, ensuring a safer and cleaner environment for marine life, residents, and visitors.
In previous years, volunteers successfully removed over 4,200 pounds of trash and single-use plastics from Newport Harbor, contributing to the ongoing efforts to keep the 25.2 miles of coastline, bay, and harbor waterways free from pollution. The event promises to be a significant community effort to protect and preserve our precious coastal environment.
Divers preparing for the Underwater Cleanup. Photo courtesy of Newport Harbor Underwater Cleanup
“The Newport Harbor Underwater Cleanup and International Coastal Cleanup Day perfectly align with our city’s mission to keep Newport Beach clean and safe for residents and visitors,” says John Kappeler, Senior Engineer with the City of Newport Beach. “We’re thrilled to host this event, welcoming local organizations, groups, and individuals dedicated to a pollution-free harbor, and celebrating those in our community who have championed this cause for years.”
Location and Event Schedule:
This year’s cleanup takes place at Newport Beach Marina Park, 1600 W Balboa Blvd. The event is part of the broader International Coastal Cleanup Day celebration, emphasizing global efforts to protect our oceans and shorelines.
Newport Harbor Underwater Cleanup Event Schedule:
7 a.m.: Volunteer check-in, location assignments, hosted breakfast
7:30 a.m.: Skippers report to assigned vessels
8:15 a.m.: Mandatory volunteer safety meeting at the main stage
9 a.m.: Volunteers, both above-water helpers and divers, deploy on cleanup vessels
9 to 11 a.m.: Cleanup commences
11:30 a.m.: Volunteer group photo
11:30 a.m.: Raffle prizes, lunch and recognitions
International Coastal Cleanup Day Celebration:
12:15 p.m.: Barge with collected trash arrives off the shore of Marina Beach
12:30 p.m.: Live music, food trucks and exhibitors
2 p.m.: Mayor O’Neill to recognize the efforts and introduce representatives of each united organization. Presentation of Harbor Stewardship Awards to follow.
3 to 5 p.m.: Live music
Visit https://www.newportharborunderwatercleanup.com for more information and to register as a volunteer.
By Newport Indy Staff – August 29, 2024
Source: Newport Beach Independent https://www.newportbeachindy.com/newport-harbor-underwater-cleanup-returns-sept-21/
Representatives from the Surfrider Foundation North Orange County Chapter recently presented the City with a generous donation of $12,415 toward the purchase and installation of a new marine trash skimmer for Newport Harbor. The donation will be used to offset the $18,000 cost of a new trash skimmer that will replace an older, broken skimmer located at the Rhine Wharf public dock.
City leaders gathered at Marina Park on Sunday to remember the first anniversary of the death of Huntington Beach Police Officer Nick Vella off the Lido Peninsula.
“The city of Newport Beach is honored to celebrate the life and sacrifice of Officer Pilot Vella. His bravery and valor shall be remembered forever.” – Newport Beach Mayor Noah Blom
This week I’d like to recognize critical, often unsung members of our City team who perform a vital service during rainstorms: the Utilities Department crews that pump storm water and operate the tide valves on Balboa Island and the Peninsula.
The valves, which were built in the 1970s to replace a system from the early 1900s, are necessary to prevent flooding in low-lying areas. They are manually operated, and need to be closed during high tides to prevent seawater from flooding the streets. Once the tide recedes, crews reopen the valves — nearly 90 in total — to allow water to flow from streets to the bay.
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