Bill Designates Safe Refuge Harbors
Gov. Gray Davis has signed legislation sponsored by state Sen. Jack O’Connell (D-San Luis Obispo) designating 18 harbors across the state--including Ventura and Channel Islands--as harbors of safe refuge.
The bill clarifies the law covering small-craft harbors to require that any vessel in distress have access to them. The law previously implied that noncommercial vessels in need of refuge could be denied access.
O’Connell, who also represents Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, said the refuge designation requiring local harbors to help protect the public’s safety will assist them in obtaining federal funding to meet environmental regulations.
The law will take effect Jan. 1.
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