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Marina del Rey developing plan to do away with illegal charters

Port Police patrolling the harbor for illegal charters
MARINA DEL REY ― Illegal charters continue to be a hot topic in Marina del Rey with members of the Small Craft Harbor Commission discussing the controversial boating activity at its Dec. 14 meeting. Staff from Los Angeles County’s Department of Beaches and Harbors (DBH) updated commissioners of increased efforts...
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6 Responses

  1. I love Dana Point Harbor. I have had two different boats in slips in the West Marina over the years, and enjoy the peace and quiet there. I hate to imagine what it would be like to come down to spend the day or overnight on my boat only to find the boat next to mine rented out to some partiers, or people with several kids running amuck and fooling with other peoples boats, unplugging their shore power, etc.; Or, the inexperienced renter taking the boat out and ramming, damaging the slip and/or other boats; and, of course, nobody saw anything. It would create a nightmare.

    1. Agree 100% about the safety issues that arise from illegal charters and rentals of boats. Many people who just want to go out on the water have no idea the potential danger they take by using an unlicensed captain. So many of these boats are overloaded, or don’t have proper emergency equipment (life jackets, fire extinguishers, etc). In addition, the other boaters get very frustrated with the constant stream of people who do not understand boating laws, misuse or mistreat the facilities, and do damage to dock or other boats. This issue has gone on too long with little involvement from local agencies. It’s time to see some action, not just words about how it’s not allowed.

  2. Neither of the replies have much to do with illegal charters. In the instance of improperly equipped boats, they would still be so if operated by the owner. As far as the competence of the person who is using the boat, it may only be illegal if he/she is carrying passengers for hire. Both problems are solved the same way improper operation/use by owners is solved by the USCG. Stop and inspect, etc.

  3. I’ve been running a scenic tour and pleasure boat company out of Grand Haven, Mi for 12 years and I have all of the necessary licenses, insurances, etc so that I can run a legal operation. I have some “captains” brag to me about how much loot they are bringing in without having to pay all of the operating costs that I’m saddled with. The poor clients are the ones that will wind up paying the price.

  4. Last year one of the huge illegal, commercial tour ships over took me during a sanctioned race, intentionally crossed my bow, and swung his stern around and came within inches of crushing my boat. I attempted to fend off with my legs and was tossed across my boat, smashing my back against the opposite cockpit, badly injuring it and left me bed-ridden for a month. When I complained to the coast guard, they never got back to me. And when I called the Harbor Patrol, they blamed me for trying to fend off, as if it was my fault. So as far as I’m concerned, this article is a bunch of B.S. to try to frighten boaters. Reality rings hollow. All the county wants to do is eliminate docks and make boating affordable for the middle class. In my basin, Basin G, half the slips have been removed, and the rent has been jacked up 60% since last year, with another 5% increase “approved” and coming in less than a year. It’s the County Supervisors and their Developer supporters who need to be investigated.

  5. I went to a party in June 2019 on a boat called ‘The Godfather’ and the owner had a bunch of weird and sketchy rules that made me really uncomfortable. After reading this article, I’m certain that it was an illegal charter operation.

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