Santa Cruz Port District Newsletter - August 2019

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Harbor Water Taxi Status   The U.S. Coast Guard has informed the Harbormaster that Santa Cruz Harbor’s water taxi service does not comply with current Coast Guard regulations. The water taxi, FreeRide I, is now 52 years old. Because of its advanced age, the Port Commission authorized funding for a replacement vessel in the current FY20 budget.   US Coast Guard Sector San Francisco – Department of Homeland Security has confirmed the required vessel standards, annual inspection and certification requirements, staff licensing and training requirements, and that the “passenger for hire” exemption we relied upon is no longer applicable to the harbor's water taxi service. Because the water taxi operation does not meet current standards, it was immediately taken out of service.   We’ve learned that the new requirements may be challenging and time consuming to implement, and beyond what the Commission budgeted. However, the Port Commission and staff are committed to carefully reviewing and understanding the requirements, costs and options, and considering both interim and long-term solutions that may be available.   We will keep the harbor community updated on what we learn about the regulations and options that may be available, and opportunities for users and stakeholders to participate in the process.

Off-Season Maintenance Tasks In preparation for the 2019-20 dredge season, crews have been actively working to complete off-season maintenance tasks, which includes routine repair and maintenance of the workboat, Dauntless , dredges, Twin Lakes and Squirt, and other equipment. The dredge crew is focused on completing all necessary work to ensure mobilization for a timely season start. The Port District is always looking for additional help during the off-season to help perform this critical work. Interested applicants can learn more about this opportunity in the recruitment notice included in this month's newsletter. Kayak Storage Kayak storage space is available! Port District maintenance crews recently completed construction of a new kayak storage facility at J-Dock. Staff has begun assigning spaces.  For more information, please contact the Harbomaster’s office at (831) 475-6161.

Harbor Dredge Worker  Santa Cruz Harbor is seeking full-time provisional and part-time seasonal employees to assist with dredging operations and off-season equipment maintenance. Application Deadline: Open Until Filled For additional information and application material, please  view the complete job posting on our website .

Deputy Harbormasters Kevin King and Blake Anderson Our Amazing Harbor Patrol Writer, Steve Jackowski, visited the Santa Cruz Harbor last week while conducting research for his next novel, currently titled The Swimmer. Jackowski interviewed Assistant Harbormaster, Blake Anderson, on ocean rescue techniques and was surprised to learn about the important roll Harbor Patrol performs in ocean rescue operations. Read more on Jackowski's weblog titled "Our Amazing Harbor Patrol". Parking Coordinator Angie McGraw Boating Clean & Green Special thanks to the Port District's Parking Coordinator, Angie McGraw, for keeping our harbor community informed by distributing boater kits with educational material on green and clean boating. Angie made the Division of Boating and Waterways' Dockwalker Hall of Fame for her amazing outreach efforts and continued support of the Boating Clean and Green Program mission, which aims to promote environmentally sound boating practices to marine business and boaters in California.

PROJECT CORNER

SEAWALL REPLACEMENT PROJECT During the week of July 15, 2019, Port District maintenance crews completed demolition of the Aldo's restaurant building structure. Contractor Granite Construction completed demolition by removing the restaurant's foundation and dining deck. The demolition work was necessary to prepare for installation of a new sheet pile seawall. Next steps involve construction of a temporary trestle structure to support the heavy equipment needed to drive the sheet piles in place. The sheet piles will be driven in front of the existing seawall. The new sheet piles are currently being coated at an offsite location and are scheduled for delivery in mid-August. Additional project-related updates will be posted on the Port District's website.

CONCESSION LOT PARKING ACCESS & REVENUE CONTROL SYSTEM PROJECT At its regular public meeting on July 23, 2019, the Port Commission awarded a contract to Scheidt & Bachmann for the Concession Lot Parking Access and Revenue Control System Project. The lot will continue to provide attendant service during current hours of operation, but will upgrade parking equipment and include two self-service pay stations for convenience. The project is scheduled to commence this Fall. DREDGE PIPE HAZARD REMOVED The floating dredge pipe hazard has been removed from the swim zone off of Twin Lakes State Beach.

EVENTS

Raiderettes Photoshoot

The Raiderettes visited the Santa Cruz Harbor in July and utilized the Team O'Neill catamaran for their 2019 Swim Suit Photoshoot. Click here for a behind the scenes look at the 2019 Raiderettes swimsuit photoshoot.

6th Annual Santa Cruz Harbor Classic Car Show Mark your calendars for the 6th Annual Classic Car & Truck Show at Santa Cruz Harbor! Come enjoy an afternoon of music, festivities, food, and of course, classic cars! Vintage cars, trucks, and motorcycles will be on display from 9 AM to 2 PM on Sunday, October 13, 2019, on the harbor's west side (near Mariner Park Lawn).  Click here to register your classic car or truck in this years event! Day on the Bay Regatta: Sunday, August 11, 2019  Calling all sailors! The 27th Annual Day on the Bay Regatta is o n Sunday, August 11th. The Santa Cruz Yacht Club will hosting this fun event to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Santa Cruz County. The event will be held at the Santa Cruz Yacht Club's dry storage area on the west side of Santa Cruz Harbor (near Aldo's). Sailing takes place from 1:00-3:30 PM, followed by a catered dinner. There will be live music by Island Breeze, two great raffles, and a silent auction. Please visit the event page for more information.

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Boating Safety Class U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is offering boating safety courses on Coastal Navigation, Boating Skills, and Sailing Skills to start in September. Registration for these classes will take place on Thursday, September 5, 2019, from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM, at the Santa Cruz Harbor Public Meeting Room. Click here for more information about these courses.