Santa Cruz Port District Newsletter - July 2020

Announcements

CHARTER BUSINESSES ARE AUTHORIZED TO REOPEN The Santa Cruz County Health Officer has confirmed that all charter businesses are authorized to reopen as of June 12, 2020. Follow the links to see if your favorite Santa Cruz Harbor eco-tourism, whale watching, fishing, or sailing charter is open for public excursions on the beautiful waters of the Monterey Bay. All charter passengers and operators are required to strictly adhere to social distancing guidelines and adopt stringent sanitation measures. To learn more about the measures put in place to protect public health, click here .

OUTDOOR DINING The Port Commission has authorized several harbor restaurants to utilize temporary outdoor dining areas to recoup dine-in seating losses due to COVID-19 social distancing requirements. This action was taken in keeping with the City of Santa Cruz Executive Order authorizing temporary use of public streets and outdoor areas for restaurants and retail businesses, and County of Santa Cruz efforts to address temporary permit and ordinance amendments needed to allow greater use of outdoor areas to achieve greater physical sep-aration between people at businesses. The Port District is not receiving increased base rent for tem-porary use of these additional seating areas. The Port Com-mission took this important step in support of the harbor’s restaurant tenants, to ensure their ongoing sustainability and to protect the health of their customers and employees. We hope everyone has an opportunity to enjoy the tem-porary al fresco dining areas set up by the Crow’s Nest, and coming soon to Aldo’s Harbor Restaurant and Café El Palomar. CONCESSION PARKING LOT AUTOMATION On May 1, 2020, the Port District transitioned to unattended service in the concession parking lot. A number of improvements have been made since the initial system start-up, and others are planned, including a "no-touch" ticket dispenser and making receipt printing optional.   To facilitate an easy and stress-free exit from the lot, all customers are encouraged to pay for parking prior to returning to their vehicles at one of the two pay-on-foot stations located next to:   Java Junction Crow’s Nest Beach Market Just follow the prompts outlined on the pay station. Paying prior to exit streamlines the exit process for everyone exiting the lot.   In the event a customer fails to prepay prior to exit, it is possible to pay with a credit card at the exit pedestal, but an attendant is not on duty, and cash is not accepted. If assistance is needed, both the self-pay stations and exit pedestal are equipped with an intercom system, and staff is available 24 hours a day to assist with equipment operation.   Updated signage in the concession lot will be installed in the coming weeks. The new signs will provide important information and encourage all customers to pay prior to exit.

SUPPORT LOCAL Thank You!

COVID-19 RESPONSE MEASURES To prevent the spread of COVID-19, and in accordance with all Orders issued by the County of Santa Cruz Health Officer, all members of the public and employees shall observe the following response measures. Port District customer service counters are open to the public on a reduced schedule: Entry into the harbor office or boatyard office is limited to one customer at a time. Employees and customers must wear a face covering and comply with social distancing protocols. Customers are encouraged to minimize contact between parties while making necessary payments, utilize online bill pay, drop payments at the harbor office mail slot, mail payments, use automated parking pay stations, parking meters, etc., and wear a face-covering when conducting essential business. Essential Services Continue/ Businesses and Services are Reopening: Employees and members of the public visiting any business shall wear a face covering in public places when working with others. Employees are not required to wear face coverings when working alone, apart from other workers and the public. Restaurants are offering take-out service, and some have expanded outdoor dining areas; retail businesses and many outdoor recreation businesses are open. The RV park is open. The vessel wash-rack and the O-dock fish cleaning station are reopened. Boatyard customers are limited to a maximum of two people per hauled vessel at any one time if social distancing can be maintained. Before entering shared spaces such as restrooms, private dock areas, or essential businesses, observe the following protocols: Wear a face covering. Avoid entering this facility if you have a cough or fever. Maintain a minimum six-foot distance from one another. Sneeze and cough into a cloth or tissue, or if not available, into one's elbow. Refrain from shaking hands any other unnecessary contact. Wash your hands! Please click here, to read the updated Social Distancing Protocol for all Santa Cruz Harbor Facilities.

June 17, 2020: Procession for Sgt. Gutzwiller

Santa Cruz Harbor Patrol is honored to have participated in the memorial procession for Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Deputy Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller who was killed in the line of duty. Sgt. Gutzwiller had served the Santa Cruz community since 2006. Numerous other law enforcement agencies from around the state participated in the procession with their vessels at Pleasure Point. Photo Courtesy of Fresno County Sheriff’s Office.

Happy 4th of July!

With recent changes to the County’s Health Order, which removed temporary beach restrictions, the Fourth of July holiday is expected to draw large crowds to the harbor and nearby beaches, impacting parking and traffic within the area. Road closures are not planned, so vehicle access to the harbor will not be restricted. The Port District would like to remind all visitors that fireworks of all types and alcohol are banned on all Santa Cruz County beaches and to maintain social distancing and comply with all provisions of the County’s Health Order to slow the transmission of COVID-19. We hope everyone enjoys a safe and fun 4th of July!

SAFE BOATING TIPS: The Fourth of July holiday is the highest-boating traffic weekend of the summer. When transiting the Santa Cruz Harbor entrance always check the latest sounding, know what your vessel draws, and check weather and tidal conditions. Remember that bathymetric surveys are adjusted to mean lower low water. Be Courteous. Give hand paddled craft ample room and keep your vessel's wake low. The National Safe Boating Council shares these boating safety tips for all boaters: Wear a life jacket. Make sure everyone is wearing a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket. New innovative styles provide mobility and flexibility during water activities. Check equipment. Schedule a free vessel safety check with your local Coast Guard Auxiliary or U.S. Power Squadrons to make sure you have all the essential equipment. Make a float plan. Let family and friends know where you’re going and when you will return. Use an engine cutoff device. An engine cutoff device is a proven safety device to stop the boat’s engine should the operator unexpectedly fall overboard. Watch the weather. Always check the forecast before departing on the water and frequently during your excursion. Know what’s going on around you at all times. Nearly a quarter of all reported boating accidents in 2016 were caused by operator inattention or improper lookout. Know where you’re going and travel at safe speeds. Familiarize yourself with local boating speed zones and always travel at a safe speed. Never boat under the influence. A BUI is involved in one-third of all recreational boating fatalities. Keep in touch. Cell phones, satellite phones, EPIRB or personal locator beacon, and VHF radios can all be important devices in an emergency. By following these tips, you can enjoy your boat, the water, sunshine, and fresh air responsibly. For additional boating resources and tips, please visit  SafeBoatingCampaign.com/Resources .