amazed to see they were writing about something that
actually had an impact on our community. A seemingly
sincere Tom Ivicevich had written a three column letter
to the editor. Actually, Mr. Ivicevich was writing an
open letter under Mail Bag to the City Council and the
Administrators of Newport Beach relating to the possible
implementation of a tough forthcoming boating ordinance.
Well, being generally pro-boater and and pro-sailor on
these issues we were amazed that after a careful reading
of Mr. Ivicevich's letter - that we agreed heartily with
the City Government! So, what is the big issue here that
has Mr. Ivicevich and his pals so upset? Anchoring their
boats off Corona Del Mar Big Beach! Actually, it is about
how long and how many times someone can park their boat
there on a monthly basis. The City wants to restrict
that access to one event with a maximum of one 72 hour
or less stay per month.
OK, for those who haven't driven by Corona Del Mar say
in the last few years....you might be surprised to find
hundreds of boats just off shore from Corona Del Mar
Big Beach within the lee of the CDM jetty! That is, if
there is no South Swell. Hey, we have walked by there
many times and been amazed that any boats were allowed
to park off CDM at all. In fact, we are totally against
any so-called "Cruising Boats" being allowed to park in
this area. If there is no dockage in the Harbor..tough!
Now why would we oppose these boats being allowed to
stay there and why should we put up a "NO Parking" sign
off CDM Big Beach? Well, it starts like this: Back in
1962 a Blue Whale landed on CDM Big Beach. Back then,
we had environmentalists too. They were surfers, caring
animal lovers and kind people in general. Our group of
City Lifeguards were pretty nice too....then! At any rate,
it took a very concerted effort.....but we were all able
to move the big Blue Whale off the sand and back into the
waters heading out to sea! We didn't declare victory over
evil dark forces or anything....about 150 people just did
a good deed. The truth is that we were not so lucky with
several other Greys, Blues and a few Orcas!
Then we had the Oil Tanker land on CDM Beach...that was
a biggie...if you will excuse the expression. That took
weeks to remove. We have had maybe 20 or thirty times in
CDM history that a variety of large and small yachts, a
few fishing boats, seals, and even bodies that have shown
up on Corona Del Mar Beach. We bring this to your
attention, because for as long as we can recall until this
last couple of years.....no boats were allowed to anchor
off CDM at all, because of several issues.
Issue one, visiting and local boaters dumping their
bilge and toilet tanks into the bay water! When you get
transitory "Cruising Yachts" they some times run into two
major issues. (1) Stupidity and (2) Full Bilge Tanks with
no place to dump them or they are too drunk or too lazy to
dump them legally. This of course could create a health
concern for those wanting to hang out on CDM Big Beach
with their families and friends.
Issue two, people thinking because they have a yacht
they should be treated better than everyone else. Having
spent a year and half on a 72 Foot Motor Yacht, 6 months
on a 72 Foot Ocean Racing Yacht and 4 months on a 93 foot
MotorSailor we can attest that when cruising.....you meet
all kinds. When people save their whole life to take that
"around the world self styled sailing adventure" well,
most are not as prepared for the realities as might be
necessary. Watching people use a 10 dollar stand up
barbecue, complete with briquettes all aflame on the top
deck of a pitching anchored wooden sail boat is not pretty
to watch. Seeing little naked children climbing into
dangerous situations on a pitching sailboat unattended
while their parents unaware, sip Mint Julep's on the fan
tail...again is not pretty. When people do too many
drugs or have too many drinks or beers..it is not pretty!
Getting the picture yet?
But what has this all got to do about allowing those
great crusing sailors to stop by to pick up a new
turnbuckle at West Marine or then maybe grab a dinner
at the Villa Nova? Aren't they just bringing commerce
to our community? Of course, allowing unfettered access
to our community may have some pluses, but much more
importantly we don't need boats going adrift at night
or letting go in the daytime and running aground into
someone soaking rays or trying the waves at CDM. We also,
do not need to see 10 of these boats have their anchors
pulled and uprooted by a stiff South Swell and wind up
on the beach....then have them turn around and sue the
City of Newport Beach for allowing them to park there
in the first place! "After all,(Ron & Anna told you!)
you knew that it could happen..now we want our complete
restitution's!"
Mr. Ivicevich, seems a nice sort and we are sure that he
would make sure his boat was secure before retiring at
night. We are sure he will take his boat to an authorized
pump out station and we are sure he will check the weather
reports hourly, almost like a community watch....and let
his brother and sister boaters know if a big storm or
earthquake off Panama was on the way!
We are also quite sure that the sea life, the seals on
the bell buoy, occasional whales, sea birds and dolphins
are not going to be direly impacted by "Cruising Boats"
throwing their kitchen scraps over board every night or
fishing off the back of their boats for dinner. Hey,
what could that hurt?
The reality is that as our world and national economy
contracts...more people are going to be leaving their
homes and winding up on their last owned item..."their
boat". For those to find enough anchorage at a reasonable
price will become, more and more limited. The harm to
our environment will take a toll. Our opinion is, that
we need to go back to the day when NO Boats were allowed
in front of CDM Beach. If you park there...you can do
so for $1000 dollars a day!
Realistically, if in fact your boat is broken and you
could be considered "a hazard to navigation" ..."the
laws of the sea" must apply and perhaps exception given.
Hey, you want to park in front of CDM to fix something
that is broken...OK! But to park there just to have a
barbecue...for a month - NO WAY RENE!
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