San Diego Harbor Police protect boaters, coastline

SAN DIEGO – Cruisers plying the waters of San Diego Bay may not always see San Diego Harbor Police but the officers constantly have a presence on the water whether directing boaters to a public dock or responding to an emergency.             Responsible for patrolling the waters of the Big Bay, San Diego Harbor Police provide law enforcement services for San Diego International Airport, San Diego Bay and the Port of San Diego’s tidelands, which includes Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach, National City and San Diego. Officers patrol the city in cars, on foot, bicycle or by boat. “At any given time we have one boat on the water 24/7 in the South Bay and another in the North Bay,” said Mark Stainbrook, San Diego Harbor Police assistant chief. “Most people don’t know how much we do; it’s a lot.” San Diego Harbor Police officers monitor the port’s 25 marinas, yacht clubs and sportfishing landings on the tidelands. Vessel accidents, boats in distress and vessel aid calls are generally the most common calls received by the department. Of course with a bay that houses 7,626 boats and yacht slips, there are those marina domestic calls and reports from other boaters about illegal anchoring...