Water Taxi committee explores Coast Guard requirements, operational models

CORONA DEL MAR— Members of the Newport Beach Water Taxi Ad Hoc Committee addressed a pair of potential roadblocks en route to implementation of the proposed venture during an April 17 meeting. The committee, which was formed earlier this year at the request of Newport Beach Mayor Rush Hill, outlined the mounting concerns associated with Coast Guard requirements for water taxi vessels and taxi-based operational applications.  ommittee Chairman Doug West said the Coast Guard regulations remain a forefront issue. “There was a strong view that any vessels doing feasible work would need to be at least 25 feet in length,” West said. “Vessels need to be capable of at least a six-pack charter.” Marshall “Duffy” Duffield, creator of Duffy electric boats, provided a report on the general Coast Guard requirements and criteria. Offering an overview of prior communication with a Coast Guard in Long Beach, Duffield expressed apprehension to the Coast Guard’s rigid criteria. “I will tell you there is no way for a layman to understand what it is they actually need because the application is extremely difficult.” Duffield said. “They are an extremely complicated division of our marine world.” He said he contacted several builders of taxi-sized vessels, and they all recommended getting...