Law will address abandoned boats

Ahoy.

The sea lion squabble in Newport Harbor continues, and it seems to

be gaining momentum in favor of the pinnipeds.

Only a century ago, this harbor was basically a rural setting with

vast open shorelines and sandbars throughout the waterways for the

critters to frolic about in the area. I suspect that in those times,

if a sea lion was a problem, it was just shot.

However, times have changed with the lower harbor’s last sandbar

-- Linda Isle -- being developed in the ‘60s with a little more than

a hundred homes.

Today, the shoreline is completely built up with mostly homes, and

Newport has become the largest recreational harbor in the world. So

what to do with all of the area’s critters that are upsetting

someone’s perception of what a harbor’s environment is supposed to

be?

If an animal is violent or destroying property like docks and

boats, then it’s time to relocate it to the Channel Islands. Instead

of complaining, how about actually helping by mitigating the areas

where the sea lions can haul out and helping to shoo them away, which

is legal?

I remember working in rescue in my youth. People complained about

the loudness of our sirens, except when we were coming to help them.

They still complained, only now we were too slow.

I wish we could use all this energy on the major issues of the

harbor, like boating access, Marinapark plans, dredging, and let’s

not forget the invasion of eelgrass.

One issue that just took a major step forward is the removal of

abandoned vessels. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation that

will allow law enforcement agencies to remove abandoned vessels from

waterways, protecting California waters from deserted boat hazards.

The law takes effect Jan. 1, 2006.

“By signing this bill, Gov. Schwarzenegger has demonstrated his

continued leadership in protecting both health of our state’s natural

resources and of the public,” said California Department of Boating

and Waterways Director Raynor Tsuneyoshi. “Abandoned vessels impede

navigation and leak pollutants, destroying natural habitats.”

The abandoned vessels are not only an eyesore, with a health risk

from all the bird droppings, but can pose a navigational hazard to

boaters by obstructing waterways and an environmental risk from

leaking oil and fuel. The new law states that vessels with

registrations expired for more than one year can be removed from

public waterways by law enforcement officers.

“The changes instituted by AB 716 will enable law enforcement

agencies to remove wrecked vessels more quickly so they don’t become

public health hazards,” said Tsuneyoshi.

Additionally, the new law will double the maximum fine for vessel

abandonment on public waterways to $3,000. The court can also order

violators to repay for the cost of removing and disposing of a

vessel. Maybe we could modify this law to remove a few unused boats

in the moorings?

My tip of week is to pack up the family and spend a day at the

International Sail and Power Boat Show at the Long Beach Convention

Center and Shoreline Village. You will be able to tour power yachts

and sailboats at the marina, which includes the West’s largest Marine

Mega Mall tent, plus more in the Convention Center.

“This is a major show and probably the biggest of the year on the

West Coast outside of our Los Angeles show, which will be in its 50th

year in January,” said Dave Geoffroy, executive director of the

Southern California Marine Assn., which is the producer of the boat

show. “We’ll have more than 500 boats out there, from Italian-made

yachts to custom performance craft built right here in Southern

California.”

Boat show hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

In-water exhibits will close at dusk.

For more information, please call (888) BOAT-INFO, or visit

o7www.scma.comf7.

Tune in to the No. 1 boating talk radio show in the nation, “Capt.

Mike Whitehead’s Boathouse Radio Show.” It airs every Saturday from

noon to 1 p.m. on KCBQ-AM (1170). You can join me, Chandler Bell and

Eric Hovland by calling the listener line at (888) 344-1170.

Safe voyages.

* MIKE WHITEHEAD is the Pilot’s boating and harbor columnist. Send

him your harbor and marine-related thoughts and story suggestions by

e-mail to o7mike@boathousetv.comf7 or visit

o7https://www.boathousetv.comf7.