SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — One of The Log’s readers recently reached out to us with questions about the mooring inspection and renewal process in Newport Beach. The city is one of a few in Southern California where boaters have the ability to “park” on open water.
Mooring a boat, of course, does...
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5 Responses
Interesting article Parimal but why do you refer to Dennis Durgan, a civilian, as “Harbormaster” when Lt. Alsobrook with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department is the actual Harbormaster in Newport Harbor? This confuses me? As a resident, I see these little “Harbormaster” boats driving around the harbor, picking up trash and stopping boats with no authority to do so. In fact, it is illegal for them to stop boaters. Their existence also confuses me.
Hi Mark,
The responsibility of certain harbor operations have shifted from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department to Newport Beach city staff as mentioned in previous articles. Here are the links to those articles:
https://thelog.com/local/newport-beach-to-assume-control-of-mooring-management-other-duties/
https://thelog.com/local/newport-beach-has-a-new-harbormaster/
https://thelog.com/local/harbormaster-guiding-transition-of-mooring-management-harbor-operations/
I totally understand that, as I know the City now handles all the moorings, but the only Harbormaster in Newport is the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. To call Dennis Durgan the Harbormaster is misleading. As I understand it, the Sheriff’s Department still handle all lifesaving, boat fires, illegal activity, and boaters in distress. Dennis Durgan does not do any of this and is not equipped to do any of that, so why is he referred to as the Harbormaster? That is my only question. Thank you in advance for your thoughts and clarification!
Mark,
It would certainly be a question for the city, as Harbormaster is his official title (https://www.newportbeachca.gov/government/departments/public-works/newport-harbor/contact-us). Accordingly it would appear Newport Beach has two harbormasters, at least in title.
Thanks!
Parimal
Editor, The Log