Commentary: An old idea is floating up to the surface again
Just when you think it is safe to go in the water, why is there always something else? This great new/old idea for floating docks in the middle of the Newport Harbor is another funky idea that has come and gone several times over the years (“Some boat owners holding tight to their moorings,” June 16).
First off, are you going to get an engineering company to design the perfect size and shape of the perfect floating dock? Are you going to limit the size of boat tied up to a floating dock to 32, 50, 100 or 18 feet?
What happens when these huge heavy floaters get ripped up during that once-in-a-lifetime storm surge? Then bang into not one, but four other expensive yachts and get smashed into land-based docks or other floaters.
Back in the day, when windsurfers used to learn their skills and ply their trades in the harbor, there were constant incidents of crashing into sail boats, motor boats and docks. Guess that is why windsurfers were finally banned from the harbor. Well, now we have paddle boards.
We can’t wait to see two pairs of paddle boarders going over to one of these new floating docks, getting on board one of their expensive yachts and catching a few rays, halfway on their way around the harbor. Heck, they might even bring out a nice fire ring or portable barbecue, using the authorized mesquite coals, of course, while cooking a few burgers and downing a few cool ones from a six-pack cooler too!
Folks, floating docks were around way back in the ‘30s. The upkeep is awful, and they do go to hell in a handbasket without constant maintenance with one of those professional divers doing their semi-annual inspections. Checking for a solid anchorage, painting the rust, identifying the broken pieces and holes can sometimes cause them to inexplicably sink.
The final concept to remember is this: As with all other neighbors, when you tie up your pride and joy to a floating dock, it better be with three other sailors’ boats who have the same respect and caring as you have — for not only their vessel but yours too!
Face it, folks, this can quickly be just a can of worms that you don’t need to get into.
For those brilliant space-saver engineers at the city, just a quick reminder of one important thing: If you want to limit the concentration of boats in the harbor, remove designated cans and whispers that are a currently a hazard to navigation.
You can replace them as concentration changes. Nothing will scare you more than to see four different-sized boats tied up to a floating dock in the middle of a tidal flush! If you think that earthquakes are a worry, it will take more than a dozen CERT members to save four beautiful yachts destined for toothpick heaven. The Harbor Patrol will be overjoyed!
RON AND ANNA WINSHIP live in Corona del Mar.