REPORT UPDATE — Abandoned and Derelict Vessels
A follow-up status of two significant derelict vessels, both of which were removed from the harbor last week.
I am pleased to report that “New Beginnings”, a 1972 Hatteras 56’, which was known as a problematic vessel in several Southern California harbors, was dismantled and removed from Newport Harbor last Friday, January 16th. During its dubious final stay in Newport Harbor, it racked up more than $50K in fines and fees. The cost to have the vessel and its hazardous contents removed was more than $30K. It’s unlikely another harbor would have dealt with this situation as swiftly and completely as we have. Other harbors don’t have the laws/codes, resources, and focus on the potential for situations like this to devolve so thoroughly.
New Beginnings – Dismantled
The vessel “Haven” was also removed permanently from the harbor last week after a lengthy and complicated stay.
A foreign owner purchased the vessel about a year ago with the best of intentions for having it transported to a lake near his home in Europe and then undertaking a restoration.
Unfortunately, the owner was unfamiliar with many of the challenges associated with such a project, including but not limited to:
- How a 60+ year old, 40’ wooden boat could be transported internationally
- The boat yard that handled the inspection and was keeping the boat until transport arrived wanted to be paid and the boat removed so the space could be freed up for other work
- Aside: the boat yard eventually asked the Harbor Department to execute an impound to have the vessel removed from their premises
- There were costs associated with continuing to store the boat here in Newport Harbor, as arrangements were made to transport it
- Registration and insurance requirements associated with storing a boat in Newport Harbor
- Operability requirements associated with storing a boat in Newport Harbor
All this to say, the owner quickly gave up on the project and left the situation for us to deal with.
In this case, we were able to recoup a portion of the costs for removal and destruction from the owner who abandoned the vessel.
There is one other significant vessel in our sights at the moment. The boat is in impound with us, and we have just initiated the process to declare the boat abandoned.
The registered owner has claimed for several months that he is prepared to retrieve it and have it brought into compliance with harbor requirements.
However, the boat yard with which he has been in negotiations just last week informed us they are no longer willing to do business with the owner.
We will move forward as quickly as legally allowed with the eventual removal of this vessel as well.
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).
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