California Coastal Commission Rejects Newport Beach Mooring Realignment

After strong opposition from the community of boaters, the California Coastal Commission voted to deny the City of Newport Beach’s proposal to realign the mooring fields and replace existing moorings with helix anchors. The decision, voted upon on February 5, has pleased the local mooring holders, 50 of whom had gathered at the meeting to share their concerns about the city’s proposal — they cited issues including “safety, inequity, conflict of interest, and environmental justice,” The Log reports.

While we’re facing similar issues regarding the docks and mooring arrangements in Ayala Cove, the Newport Beach mooring field in question covers a much larger area and is home to a number of authorized liveaboards. The city wants to transition from the traditional moorings to helix anchors, claiming their intention is to improve navigability, though Newport Beach Mooring Association president Anne Stenton remains uncertain about “the true intent,” The Log writes.

One of the issues, Stenton claims, is the city’s lack of community engagement in making their proposal for the mooring realignment. The Log writes that some speculate the motivation stems from homeowners’ desire for a “more aesthetically pleasing and structured view of the mooring fields, resembling an orderly parking lot.” This, however, is not confirmed.

The proposed changes were first announced in 2018. “Evaluate the current mooring fields and provide a recommendation for new guidelines that better define rows and fairways to improve navigation, safety, and optimization of space within the mooring fields,” the proposal begins. It also adds, “We plan to solicit additional expert opinion on the proposal.” Stenton told The Log that while there had been collaboration between the city and the mooring association for over 50 years, the past eight years have seen a decline in such collaborations. ““Many experienced mariners, including licensed captains who hold mooring permits, feel their expertise has been overlooked,” Stenton told The Log.

While the California Coastal Commission’s decision is a reprieve for those who would be affected, and the city suggests there are currently no alternative plans to alter the mooring situation, some mooring permit holders and liveaboards remain concerned. Community member and liveaboard Samantha McDonald told The Log, “The main issue with the double-row configuration [outlined in the city’s proposal] is that mariners lose an important approach direction to their mooring, which is critical during adverse weather conditions.”

We are happy the boating community has had this win, but we are all too aware of how fickle these decisions can be over the longer term. Maintaining and strengthening the boating community are important factors in preserving the lifestyle we all love.

Read the full story here.