Vessel Owners Invited to Apply for New City Mooring Licenses

By Newport Indy Staff – December 27, 2023

Source: Newport Beach Independent https://www.newportbeachindy.com/vessel-owners-invited-to-apply-for-new-city-mooring-licenses/

The City of Newport Beach has introduced a new license program offering 16 onshore and offshore City-owned moorings to the public in a variety of sizes. Applications for the initial licenses will be accepted through March 1, 2024.

The new program is designed for vessel owners to lease moorings long-term without having to acquire a permit, sub-permit or mooring equipment.

Monthly fees will be charged based on the size of the mooring, starting at $162 a month for an 18-ft. mooring. There is no cost to apply for one of the 16 new mooring leases.

The licenses will be issued by random drawing from among the applications received by March 1. Assignments will be made based on the fit of available moorings to vessel size. Applicants who do not receive a mooring assignment in the initial drawing will be placed on a waiting list, as will applicants who submit after March 1.

Successful applicants will be contacted after the drawing and have 14 days to execute a mooring license agreement.

The mooring license application can be completed and submitted online via the City’s Virtual Connect application portal.

For more information please visit www.newportbeachca.gov/harbor or contact the Harbor Department at ha**********@************ca.gov or (949) 270-8159.


By Newport Indy Staff – December 27, 2023

Source: Newport Beach Independent https://www.newportbeachindy.com/vessel-owners-invited-to-apply-for-new-city-mooring-licenses/

Photo Credit: Sara Hall/Newport Beach Independent

“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.” – Harbormaster Paul Blank

A heartfelt letter of thanks from Harbormaster Paul Blank. We proudly share this with our supporters and audience.

Newport Beach International Boat Show is proud to announce that it has been named the #1 Boat Show in the United States by USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards for 2025. Full official announcement from USA Today 10 BEST was released on May 7th, 2025.