Harbor Patrol stresses boating safety needs

Deepa Bharath

Harbor Patrol officials are asking boaters to be cautious this

weekend and the rest of the summer as they enjoy the city’s coastal

waters.

After all, Newport Harbor was ranked second in Southern California

for boating accidents for 2002, according to a recent report released

by the California Department of Boating and Waterways. The Colorado

River topped the list with 58 reported accidents while Newport had 49

accidents last year.

With one foot into summer, which marks the beginning of junior

sailing programs at many of the local yacht clubs, two Orange County

Harbor Patrol officers thought it was important that they go out and

educate young sailors about boat safety.

The idea came from Jay Carver, a reserve harbor patrol deputy, and

received support from the department’s training coordinator, Pat

Douglas.

“Around this time every year, all the sailing programs begin,”

Douglas said. “And we have about 600 kids in their sabots on the

water. That’s a lot of boats.”

Carver said this is an important program especially because a

sabot is a small boat and often times, bigger charter boats cannot

see them in the water.

“There are also several new boaters around the harbor,” he said.

Douglas said Newport Harbor probably appeared on the list of top

accident areas because of its high traffic volume and the wide

variety of boats that are seen here.

“We get speedboats, charter boats, sailboats, you name it,” he

said. “But we don’t have too many injuries or loss because our speed

limit is very low, only 5 mph, compared to the Colorado River where

it’s much higher.”

Education is key to reducing the number of accidents, Douglas

said.

“Many boaters don’t know a lot of important rules,” he said. “For

example, many people don’t know sailboats have right of way over

power boats. People panic when they get head on with another boat.”

Douglas said those who hope to have a fun day in the water on

Independence Day must remember a few ground rules. Nearly 20% of all

boating accidents in California happen during Memorial Day, Fourth of

July and Labor Day.

“No drinking,” he said. “Keep your speed down and always keep an

eye out for traffic.”