Worry about the tides, not freezing, here
Ahoy.
Another beautiful day in Southern California, with a picturesque
view from the Channel Islands to the snow-capped mountains, provides
yet another great day for boating in the middle of winter.
While most of the boats in the country have been winterized, our
big concern in the southland is the astronomical high tides this
week, which are greater than 7 feet. Luckily, these tides are not
combined with a storm or big surf, which would create another inlet
for the harbor at 10th Street on the Balboa Peninsula when high waves
from the ocean flow over the beach and across the street into the
bay.
These high tides can make docks float free up and over pilings,
make gangways flex upward in the wrong direction, and get dock lines
snagged on the top of pilings, lifting boats up as the tide lowers.
Additionally, with every high tide, there is a corresponding low
tide. The low tides can cause problems, too, from docks tweaking
while settling on the bay floor, to boats running aground. Strong
tidal currents created by the millions of gallons of water in the
harbor rush out the single harbor opening to the sea.
Ah, the difficulties of living in this area, as I ponder whether
to go boating today or head up the mountains to go skiing.
PERSONNEL CHANGES AFLOAT IN NEWPORT
The city of Newport Beach starts the New Year with two top
personnel changes in the Harbor Resources Division that almost leave
administration assistant Lorrie Arcese alone in the office. Tony
Melum, harbor resources director, and Wes Armand, harbor inspector,
retired at the end of December. These two have been active in the
city for decades and took personal interest in managing the harbor.
Melum, who was with the city for more than 25 years, rode out the
waves as the division went through many changes and an identity
crisis. He has acquired an institutional knowledge of the harbor
during his tenure that will be hard to duplicate. He will consult for
a period to ease the transition.
In 1957, Armand started as a seasonal lifeguard. He lived in
Mammoth for a while beto Newport Beach. He has always been active in
the harbor. He operated the first city boat used to cruise the bay
picking up debris. He has always been very active with Clean Harbor
Day, coordinating the vessels with volunteers to collect the trash
throughout the harbor.
In recognition of their years of public service, I have two
suggestions for the City Council or Harbor Commission to consider for
Melum and Armand’s legacies.
Immediately before Melum’s departure, he was working to restore
the decorative and historic finials that once adorned the top of the
pilings at every city-owned public dock. At the last harbor
commission meeting, there were tongue-in-cheek comments to rename the
finials to “Melum’s Finials,” and I think that would be well-deserved
legacy.
Additionally, Armand was instrumental in starting the city’s first
boat for cleaning the harbor, and today’s vessel is named “Clean
Sweep.” I would like to suggest renaming “Clean Sweep” to “Armand’s
Clean Sweep” or “Armand’s Armada.”
TIP OF THE WEEK
Check the tightness of the band clamps on all your vessel’s hoses.
Last weekend, I was the captain on a yacht delivery to Ensenada,
Mexico. Calm before the storm was what we experienced as we ran
directly in front of the approaching storm and the high swells by
just hours. We did spot two gray whales, but the superb visibility
was what I found most remarkable.
After arriving at the Hotel Coral Marina, we noticed the mid bilge
pump was discharging a lot of cold water. Immediately inspecting the
engine room, I found a raw water inlet hose had come loose before the
heat exchanger -- hence the cold, and not warm water.
It’s a good time of year to tighten all your fittings. The Coast
Guard recommends double band clamps, which are required on all
commercial vessels. Keep in mind, the colder nights will cause
materials to constrict, allowing band clamps to loosen.
Safe voyages.
* MIKE WHITEHEAD is the Pilot’s boating and harbor columnist.
Send him your harbor and marine-related thoughts and story
suggestions via e-mail to Mike@BoathouseTV.com or visit
BoathouseTV.com.
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