THE HARBOR COLUMN:

Ahoy,

Assembly Bill 2873, commonly known as the Harbor Patrol Bill, is making its way through Sacramento. This legislation is written for the operations of O.C. harbor patrols, which the sheriff’s department operates in Huntington Harbour, Dana Point and Newport Harbor.

I have read the bill, and it does not preclude the county from contracting the harbor patrols to another agency such as the city of Newport Beach, but it appears to block an agency such as the city from assuming the control of the harbor patrol without the county’s permission and another staffing requirement.

Why the legislation is needed is puzzling because the county has the authority now to operate the harbor patrol or to contract with another agency for services. Bill language in SEC. 3. states, “the Legislature finds and declares that, because of the unique circumstances applicable to the County of Orange, a statute of general applicability cannot be enacted within the meaning of subdivision (b) of Section 16 of Article IV of the California Constitution, and, therefore, this special statute is necessary.”

The circumstances should be outlined in detail because the issue is causing rumors among boaters who believe this is a battle over control for Newport Harbor.

Additionally, the bill states that any agency the county contracts for harbor services must maintain at least the same number of qualified peace officers employed by the county as of Jan. 1. Does this statement refer to the total number of peace officers employed countywide, or does it refer to the number of active harbor patrol officers serving Newport Harbor? The legislators might want to clarify the definition of how the number is derived.

I am interested to hear from the boating community and especially the harbor users, if you think this legislation is necessary. You can read AB 2873 through tinyurl.com/5fhbg8.

Remember to tune in every Saturday at 11 a.m. to “Capt. Mike Whitehead’s Boathouse Radio Show” broadcasting from our studios inside Angel Stadium on AM 830 blasting with 50,000 watts to Southern California.

Safe voyages.

MIKE WHITEHEAD is the Pilot’s boating columnist. Send marine-related thoughts and story suggestions to mike@boathousetv.com or go to www.boathousetv.com.