Jeff Asbury
Principal Partner
PORT OF LA PUBLIC MEETING TARIFF AND PERMIT
THE PORT OF LOS ANGELES TO HOLD PUBLIC MEETING TO REVIEW PROPOSED TARIFF AND PERMIT FOR RECREATIONAL VESSELS.
I Thought I would move this post to the Raft Up section because there was only one response in the So Cal section. I was wondering if others may be going through similar changes in other Ports and Marinas.
This meeting took place in SAN PEDRO, Calif. on November 16, 2007
You are not alone if you were not aware of this meeting. The only notice we had at my Marina appeared as flyers taped to the gang way gates about a week ago, with very little information. This has been a mystery to all of us that had seen these flyers.
Here's my brief report:
Well I went to the meeting early last night, and I was glad I did. The meeting started more than a half hour late because more people showed up at the Harbor Department than they anticipated. 80 or more people had to be turned away because they only had room for I guess what was about 200. I guess that's why the meeting started late because they had turn away all those people that had taken time out of their busy lives to see what this was all about.
The meeting was lead by CAPTAIN JOHN M. HOLMES Deputy Executive Director Harbor Operations. Mr Holmes first started the meeting by explaining about the delay in starting the meeting and explained that another meeting would be held at a later date so that all that were turned away would have the opportunity to voice their opinions about this new Tariff and Permit requirements proposed.
There was very tight security and every boat owner / marina operator that attended had to empty their pockets and go through a metal detector and then issued a temporary badge as well as be escorted by staff to the meeting on the second floor. Then we were all handed the seven page proposed Tariff to read through. Then Mr Holmes went to the podium and said he was willing to answer any questions. The first question asked was, "Who are you?". Mr Holmes had neglected to introduce himself first. Then the questions really started flying as to be expected, mostly oppositions to the proposed tariff and permit requirements. Issues such as increased liability insurance to cover not only the boat owners but harbor department officers and agents that may have to board or inspect our boats. We were assured that the permits would not cost us any thing but there is a fairly long list of requirements that need to be met before a permit would be issued.
I think the over all consensus of the boat owners was that we already have to meet these requirements with the marinas we are berthed at, and that it should be the marina's responsibility to enforce these rules. This was not a happy group!
Apparently the Harbor Department's whole motivation to do this started when they had to dispose of some 120 derelict boats at the Departments expense. This Tariff and Permit is not something we as boat owners we're allowed to vote on. What I understand is that it is still only a proposal and has to be approved by the Harbor Commission and then go to LA City Council. I noticed that the local NBC affiliate Channel 4 news was present as well so this may be getting a lot more attention publicly.
Personally I am very opposed to this. Those of us berthed in LA Harbor already have had to put up with large slip fee increases, increased registration fees as well as pay property taxes on our boats. If this goes into effect there is the possibility of having to pay for this permit as well as the added expense of regular surveys and increase liability insurance in the future. I also feel that this is just another step closer to living in a 'Big Brother" controlled society.
http://www.portoflosangeles.org/News/news_111607recv.htm
Down load the new proposed requirements here: http://www.portoflosangeles.org/DOC/Tariff_Section_21.pdf
THE PORT OF LOS ANGELES TO HOLD PUBLIC MEETING TO REVIEW PROPOSED TARIFF AND PERMIT FOR RECREATIONAL VESSELS.
I Thought I would move this post to the Raft Up section because there was only one response in the So Cal section. I was wondering if others may be going through similar changes in other Ports and Marinas.
This meeting took place in SAN PEDRO, Calif. on November 16, 2007
You are not alone if you were not aware of this meeting. The only notice we had at my Marina appeared as flyers taped to the gang way gates about a week ago, with very little information. This has been a mystery to all of us that had seen these flyers.
Here's my brief report:
Well I went to the meeting early last night, and I was glad I did. The meeting started more than a half hour late because more people showed up at the Harbor Department than they anticipated. 80 or more people had to be turned away because they only had room for I guess what was about 200. I guess that's why the meeting started late because they had turn away all those people that had taken time out of their busy lives to see what this was all about.
The meeting was lead by CAPTAIN JOHN M. HOLMES Deputy Executive Director Harbor Operations. Mr Holmes first started the meeting by explaining about the delay in starting the meeting and explained that another meeting would be held at a later date so that all that were turned away would have the opportunity to voice their opinions about this new Tariff and Permit requirements proposed.
There was very tight security and every boat owner / marina operator that attended had to empty their pockets and go through a metal detector and then issued a temporary badge as well as be escorted by staff to the meeting on the second floor. Then we were all handed the seven page proposed Tariff to read through. Then Mr Holmes went to the podium and said he was willing to answer any questions. The first question asked was, "Who are you?". Mr Holmes had neglected to introduce himself first. Then the questions really started flying as to be expected, mostly oppositions to the proposed tariff and permit requirements. Issues such as increased liability insurance to cover not only the boat owners but harbor department officers and agents that may have to board or inspect our boats. We were assured that the permits would not cost us any thing but there is a fairly long list of requirements that need to be met before a permit would be issued.
I think the over all consensus of the boat owners was that we already have to meet these requirements with the marinas we are berthed at, and that it should be the marina's responsibility to enforce these rules. This was not a happy group!
Apparently the Harbor Department's whole motivation to do this started when they had to dispose of some 120 derelict boats at the Departments expense. This Tariff and Permit is not something we as boat owners we're allowed to vote on. What I understand is that it is still only a proposal and has to be approved by the Harbor Commission and then go to LA City Council. I noticed that the local NBC affiliate Channel 4 news was present as well so this may be getting a lot more attention publicly.
Personally I am very opposed to this. Those of us berthed in LA Harbor already have had to put up with large slip fee increases, increased registration fees as well as pay property taxes on our boats. If this goes into effect there is the possibility of having to pay for this permit as well as the added expense of regular surveys and increase liability insurance in the future. I also feel that this is just another step closer to living in a 'Big Brother" controlled society.
http://www.portoflosangeles.org/News/news_111607recv.htm
Down load the new proposed requirements here: http://www.portoflosangeles.org/DOC/Tariff_Section_21.pdf