Charter boats need to get in ship...

Charter boats need

to get in ship shape

The Daily Pilot article on April 16, “City may modify permits,”

about proposed changes to charter boat permits, highlighted several

things to me, a resident of Newport Beach, living on the harbor and

impacted daily by charter boats.

After growing up along the harbor and being on it for more than 40

years, I have opinions after seeing and experiencing charter boat

operations affect harbor navigation, water quality and the quality of

life not only for residents like myself but for visitors to the

harbor as well.

The permit proposals for charter boats are born out of fairness

and efficiency. First of all, I believe it is unfair permits can be

granted on a permanent basis. A charter boat operator should qualify

periodically, be it monthly or yearly, to be granted permission to

operate on the harbor. Many factors (including the number of noise

complaints) should be considered before giving or renewing the

permit.

Efficiency for the city is also a reason for the proposed permit

changes, and such efficiency will save money and streamline

operations at city hall.

The permit proposals also take into consideration parking. If a

charter boat operator can’t secure parking then he should not be

operating, or he should use his or her business acumen and consider

shuttling in customers from where there is parking.

Parking and traffic are serious issues for residents, tourists and

commuters alike and must be dealt with in an intelligent way. I

apologize to the charter operators, but as the population increases

and as the above issues of parking and traffic get worse, there is no

reason not to adapt to the changing environment with a new and

improved permit process even if it may increase costs to a few

operators, who undoubtedly would pass on the increased costs to their

customers anyway.

Now I must attack an issue that I drone on about periodically, and

that is the quality of life on Newport Harbor. According the article,

Electra Cruises owner Randy Goodman says that people think “we

disturb the peace and tranquility on the bay.” Yes, people do think

this because you sure do!

I can’t count how many times I have been woken up by excessively

drunken people screaming from the top of their lungs at 11, 12 or

even 1 in the morning.

This is a quality of life issue that affects me and every single

person who lives along the harbor. Another quality of life issue is

for boaters on the bay when at times there are so many charter boats

in the harbor that the waterways are overwhelmed and navigation

dangerous.

Sorry again to the charter operators, but I want a limit on the

number of boats and total number of passengers on the harbor at any

one time. I want enforcement of noise regulations by the Sheriff’s

Department Harbor Patrol. And I want some teeth put into the noise

regulations.

Now that I have said all of this, I for one do not want to sink

the charter boat business. I think the charter boat business is good

for Newport Beach, good for tourism and a wonderful attribute to our

fair city with its beautiful harbor that all should enjoy.

I just ask that it be managed sensibly, efficiently and keeping in

mind the quality of life on and along the bay.

PAUL JAMES BALDWIN

Newport Beach