Santa Cruz Port District
Newsletter - May 2020
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Santa Cruz Harbor's launch ramp will remain closed to general recreational use until further notice. The County of Santa Cruz shelter-in-place order directs all governmental agencies to cease non-essential operations at physical locations in the County; prohibit all non-essential gatherings of any number of individuals; and, cease all non-essential travel.
Only the following launch ramp activity is authorized during the closure:
- Vessels engaged in commercial fishing (with valid permits)
- First responder vessels
- Existing marina customer vessels (slip renter, dry storage, annual launch permit holders)
The launch ramp is closed to all other activity.
The continued closure of launch ramps at all other harbors along California's Central Coast necessitates that Santa Cruz Harbor's launch ramp remain closed to general recreational use to protect its employees, business operators and users during this unprecedented public emergency, and discourage non-essential travel and large gatherings.
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The Santa Cruz Port District Commission reviewed anticipated FY21 budget impacts and responses relative to COVID-19 at its regular public meeting on April 28, 2020.
In response to anticipated revenue losses, the Commission took action to reduce labor, expense and capital outlay, and eliminate contributions to the capital improvement and reserve funds, reducing expense and reserve contributions by more than $1.3 million in this budget year. The Commission also took action to offer relief measures for landside tenants, marina customers and charter operators. Extended payment plans can be arranged and will allow deferral of rent by 50% for 90 days, with the deferred amount paid back over an extended term with no late fees or interest charged if paid as agreed.
Visit the Port District's website for more information on COVID-19-related budget actions and extended payment plans available to marina customers and landside tenants facing financial hardship.
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The City of Santa Cruz's
website
provides information on financial programs that are available from State and Federal agencies, as well as the SBA’s Disaster Loan Program, and FEMA Disaster Assistance.
In addition, Santa Cruz County Office for Economic Development has also developed a
list of resources
to help assist businesses with continued commerce.
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Entrance Dredging
Entrance dredging concluded on April 30, 2020. Kudos to the dredge crew for a successful dredging season! Their hard work, coupled with the advance planning implemented this season, increased operational efficiencies and produced excellent results.
North Harbor Dredging
North harbor dredging concluded on April 30, 2020. In addition to restoring utility of slips previously vacant due to shallow conditions, the facilities crew focused on deepening the X/J fairway and restoring access to the culvert landing area. Their work has made more slips available, increasing boater access and revenue to the Port District. Many thanks to the crew!
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Last summer, the U.S. Coast Guard informed the Port District that Santa Cruz Harbor’s water taxi service did not comply with current Coast Guard regulations for small passenger vessels and the water taxi operation was immediately taken out of service.
Over the past year, with assistance from Congressman Jimmy Panetta, staff has worked with the U.S. Coast Guard to share information about the water taxi operation and evaluate whether the water taxi is indeed subject to USCG requirements for small passenger vessels. The provisions would have required a Certificate of Inspection and annual vessel inspections, and operation by USCG licensed captains and crew. The shift to a certificated vessel, for an operation that had a perfect safety record over 24 years of service, threatened to end this free public program.
The Officer in Charge of Marine Inspections at Sector San Francisco has determined that the Santa Cruz Harbor water taxi is not required to come into regulations as an inspected vessel.
The water taxi must continue to have all required safety equipment aboard the vessel, and the Port District will continue to ensure operators receive rigorous in-house training to ensure the safety of passengers and crew.
While this is welcome news, due to COVID-19 shelter-in-place orders, social distancing requirements and associated budget impacts, the Santa Cruz Harbor's free water taxi service is not likely to begin operations again until next summer.
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OPENING OF RECREATIONAL SALMON SALMON SEASON: MAY 1, 2020
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Recreational salmon season is scheduled to open on May 1, 2020.
- Minimum size limit: 24 inches total length
- Daily bag limit: 2 salmon of any species except coho
For additional information on the 2020 Salmon Season, visit the CA Department of Fish and Wildlife
website.
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Left to right: Assistant Harbormaster Sean Rothwell, Deputy Harbormaster Landon Gottlieb, Harbormaster Blake Anderson.
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INTRODUCING
NEW DEPUTY HARBORMASTER
LANDON GOTTLIEB
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The Santa Cruz Port District welcomes Landon Gottlieb as its newest Deputy Harbormaster. Landon was sworn in on April 28, 2020.
Landon is from Los Angeles and moved to Santa Cruz ten years ago. He is an experienced Captain and Sailing Instructor with a passion for the ocean and serving his community.
Please join us in welcoming Landon to the Santa Cruz Harbor team!
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SANTA CRUZ HARBOR
ESSENTIAL SERVICES AND BUSINESSES
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During the statewide shelter-in-place order, the following essential services and businesses are open. Please comply with all governmental orders and practice social distancing at all times (minimum 6′ spacing) when conducting essential activities.
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Boatyard is open. Leave a message at (831) 475-3002 to inquire about boatyard services, and a boatyard staff member will return your call.
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H&H Fresh Fish resident buyer and fish market is open 10 am to 5 pm Tues–Sun.
Call 831-462-FISH for home deliveries.
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Johnson-Hicks Marine Electronics
Open for online and telephone orders.
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Bayside Marine
Open 10:30 am to 5 pm
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Crow’s Nest Restaurant
Open 11:30 am to 8 pm
"To Go" orders only
Crow’s Nest Beach Market
Open 9 am to 8 pm
"To Go" orders and retail market only
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Café El Palomar
Open 8 am to 8 pm
"To Go" orders only
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Java Junction
Open 6:30 am to 2 pm Mon-Wed;
6:30 am to 4 pm on Thur-Sun
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OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE
413 Lake Avenue, Suite 104, a 239 square foot office on Santa Cruz Harbor's east side, is available for rent.
Interested applicants must complete a rental application and submit it, along with any additional documentation that may be relative to the selection process, on or before May 15, 2020.
The application is available on the Port District's
website.
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PAPPY
DISPLAY CRADLE PROJECT
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The Port District owns a small, gaff-rigged felucca sailing boat named
Pappy, which was formerly owned by local author, artist, aviator, educator and boater, Ed Larson. In 2016, the Commission appointed an ad hoc committee to work toward the goal of prominently displaying the vessel in honor of Ed Larson. On March 10, 2020, Pappy found a new home near the harbor office and launch ramp in its display cradle constructed by Tyman Construction.
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HARBOR CLEANING SERVICES APPRECIATION
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Please join us in thanking Bay Building Janitorial who has provided excellent cleaning services of the harbor's buildings and restrooms over the years and continues to deliver additional sanitation solutions
in response to this unprecedented health emergency.
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