Redondo Beach Municipal Code Art. 4 Regulations Concerning Anchoring, Mooring, and Security of Vessels

A person shall not make fast or moor any vessel to any aid to navigation within the harbor, waterway, or maritime facility, such as buoys, nun-buoys, spar-buoys, or other objects identifiable as aids to navigation, except in an emergency.

(Sec. 5, Ord. 2192 c.s., eff. April 6, 1977, as amended by § 1, Ord. 2815 c.s., eff. April 23, 1998)

(a) A person shall not place a private buoy or mooring in the harbor, waterway, or maritime facility without first securing a permit for such installation from the Harbor Master. A person securing such a permit shall be responsible for providing equipment meeting the Harbor Master's specifications, for the accurate initial placement of buoy and tackle, and for its subsequent maintenance, positioning, and removal in accordance with the terms and conditions of the permit. Such person shall also be liable for any costs incurred by the City in the recovery, repositioning, or resecuring of such buoy and tackle under emergency conditions.

(b) All approved moorings shall be inspected to the satisfaction of the Harbor Master when the Harbor Master deems it necessary to do so in the interests of safety. All maintenance and repair deemed necessary as a result of such inspections shall promptly be accomplished to the satisfaction of the Harbor Master. All costs associated with inspections and/or maintenance and/or repair of permitted moorings shall be borne solely by the permittee. In the event any permittee fails to comply with such mooring inspection requirement, the mooring permit shall be canceled, and the Harbor Master may have the mooring lifted and placed in storage. Moorings placed in storage shall be released to the owner by the Harbor Master only after satisfactory proof of ownership has been presented and full reimbursement made to the City for all costs incurred by the City.

(c) The provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall apply to all water areas of the harbor, except within the special mooring area designated as Parcel 8 and more particularly described as follows:

Beginning at a point on an official Los Angeles County Surveyor's Transit Line, which line is described in Los Angeles County Surveyor's Field Book 2100, pages 21 and 22, and which point is designated S-12, a point on said Transit Line; thence north 20 degrees 45′ 03″ west 261.37 feet to a point on the said Transit Line; thence north 77 degrees 23′ 54″ east 200.97 feet to a point, which point is designated H-l, said H-1 also being south 65 degrees 43 19 east 46.82 feet from the intersection of the center line of Hermosa Avenue and the center line of Tenth Street, as said intersection is shown on the map of Tract No. 1326 recorded in Book 18, page 67, of Maps, records of said County and as said intersection is shown in Los Angeles County Surveyor's Field Book No. 1589, page 134, in the office of the County Engineer of said County; thence south 24 degrees 59′ 36″ east 516.87 feet; thence south 24 degrees 24 43 east 509.95 feet to a point, which point is designated H-2; thence south 27 degrees 07′ 16″ east 615.37 feet to a point, which point is designated H-3; thence south 65 degrees 54 45 west 247.41 feet to a point, which point is designated H-8; thence 16 degrees 39 505 east 956.81 feet to a point, which point is designated H-10; thence south 73 degrees 21′ 10″ west 716.01 feet to a point, which point is designated H-11; thence south 49 degrees 36′ 20″ west 362.64 feet to the true point of beginning; thence south 37 degrees 00′ 31″ west 356.89 feet; thence north 52 degrees 59′ 29″ west 429.40 feet; thence north 23 degrees 02′ 59″ west 1518.29 feet; thence north 66 degrees 57′ 01″ east 261.91 feet; thence south 31 degrees 44′ 19″ east 1732.13 feet to the true point of beginning. This parcel contains 698,326.2 square feet of water area.

(§ 5, Ord. 2192 c.s., eff. April 6, 1977, as amended by § 1, Ord. 2815 c.s., eff. April 23, 1998)

(a) A person shall not anchor a vessel or occupy a mooring buoy within the harbor, waterway, or maritime facility without first obtaining the permission of the Harbor Master, unless an emergency exists where time is of the essence, in which case such person shall immediately report the emergency condition to the Harbor Master and shall thereafter move and secure the vessel in accordance with the instructions of the Harbor Master.

(b) The Harbor Master may permit vessels to anchor or occupy a mooring buoy for such a period of time as prescribed by, and in designated areas set aside or reserved for this purpose by, the Harbor Master. All vessels so anchored or occupying a mooring between sunset and sunrise shall display lights as prescribed by federal and State laws, rules, and regulations regarding anchor lights in inland waters, except when anchored or moored within the special mooring area designated as Parcel 8 and more particularly described in subsection (c) of Section 12-1.402 of this article.

(§ 5, Ord. 2192 c.s., eff. April 6, 1977, as amended by § 1, Ord. 2815 c.s., eff. April 23, 1998)

The owner or other person having charge of any vessel shall not secure, moor, or make fast any vessel to any float, wharf, pier, mooring, or other facility of the harbor, waterway, or maritime facility without the consent of the lessee, agency, or other person in charge of such facility. It shall be unlawful for the owner or operator of such vessel to fail or refuse to remove or change the position of such vessel as ordered by the Harbor Master. In the event the owner of a vessel moored without permission cannot be located within a reasonable time, in the Harbor Master's discretion upon the written request of the lessee, agency, or other person in charge of the facility to which such vessel is moored, the Harbor Master may assume the custody of such vessel and cause it to be removed and held in storage. The City, Harbor Master or the Harbor Master's authorized representatives shall not be held liable for any damages to such vessel nor liable to its owners before or after assuming such custody. Vessels so taken into custody shall be released to the owner by the Harbor Master only after satisfactory proof of ownership has been presented and full reimbursement has been made to the City for all costs incident to the removal operation in accordance with the provisions of Section 12-1.410 of this article.

(§ 5, Ord. 2192 c.s., eff. April 6, 1977, as amended by § 1, Ord. 2815 c.s., eff. April 23, 1998)

No person shall make fast or secure a vessel to any mooring already occupied by another vessel, or to a vessel already moored or anchored, unless approved by the Harbor Master except that a rowboat, dinghy, or yacht tender regularly used by a larger vessel for the transportation of persons or property to or from shore may be secured to such larger vessel or to the mooring regularly used by such larger vessel. If tied with in a slip, such rowboat, dinghy, or tender shall not extend over three feet into the fairway beyond the slip, unless a more restrictive extension has been established for a particular slip or tie.

(§ 5, Ord. 2191 c.s., eff. April 6, 1977, as amended by § 1, Ord. 2815 c.s., eff. April 23, 1998)

(a) Except in emergency, no person operating any vessel, or having charge of any vessel, shall dock, moor, or make it fast or secure to any City jetty, breakwater bulkhead, wharf, pier, dock, float, mooring buoy, or other City facility without the consent of the Harbor Master, or in excess of time specifically authorized by the Harbor Master, or in excess of the time limits indicated by the Harbor Master by signs posted by the Harbor Master regulating such facility. In the event of an emergency causing such person to so dock, moor, make fast, or secure a vessel to such City facility, such person shall forthwith report such emergency to the Harbor Master and thereafter comply with the instructions of the Harbor Master.

(b) In the event the Harbor Master is unable to determine the identity of the person who caused a vessel to be docked, moored, made fast, or secured in violation of subsection (a) of this section, a citation for the violation of this section shall be issued in the name of the registered owner of such vessel.

(c) In any prosecution charging a violation of subsection (a) of this section, proof by the people of the State of California that the particular vessel described in the complaint was docked, moored, made fast, or secured in violation of subsection (a) of this section, and proof that the defendant named in the complaint was the registered owner of such vessel at the time it was illegally docked, moored, made fast, or secure, shall constitute in evidence a prima facie presumption that the registered owner was the person who docked, moored, made fast, or secured the vessel at the point where, and for the time during which, the violation occurred.

(§ 5, Ord. 2192 c.s., eff. April 6, 1977, as amended by § 1, Ord. 2815 c.s., eff. April 23, 1998)

The owner of any vessel moored or anchored within the harbor, waterway, or maritime facility shall be responsible for causing such vessel to be tied and secured or anchored with proper care and equipment and in such manner as may be required to prevent a breakaway and resulting damage, and the owner shall thereafter provide for the periodic inspection, maintenance, replacement, and adjustment of the anchor, mooring, or tie lines at reasonable intervals.

(§ 5, Ord. 2192 c.s., eff. April 6, 1977, as amended by § 1, Ord. 2815 c.s., eff. April 23, 1998)

If any vessel shall be found to be anchored or moored within the harbor, waterway, or maritime facility in an unsafe or dangerous manner, or in such a way as to create a hazard to other vessels or to persons or property, the Harbor Master shall order and direct the necessary measures to eliminate such unsafe or dangerous condition. The primary responsibility for compliance with such orders and directions of the Harbor Master shall rest with the owner of the improperly anchored or moored vessel or the owner's authorized agent. In the absence of such owner or agent, such responsibility shall rest with the authorized operator of the facility at which the vessel is anchored or moored. In an emergency situation and in the absence of any such responsible person, the Harbor Master shall forthwith board such vessel and cause the improper situation to be corrected, and the owner of the vessel shall be liable for any costs incurred by the City in effecting such correction.

(§ 5, Ord. 2192 c.s., eff. April 6, 1977, as amended by § 1, Ord. 2815 c.s., eff. April 23, 1998)

If any unattended vessel shall be found to be anchored or moored illegally within the harbor, waterway, or maritime facility, or if the Harbor Master has reasonable grounds to believe that a vessel has been abandoned within the harbor, waterway, or maritime facility, the Harbor Master may assume the custody of such vessel and cause it to be removed and held or placed in storage. The City, Harbor Master or authorized representatives shall not be held liable for any damages to such vessel nor liable to its owners before or after assuming such custody. Vessels so taken into custody shall be released to the owner by the Harbor Master only after satisfactory proof of ownership has been presented and full reimbursement has been made to the City for all costs incident to the recovery, movement, and storage as set forth in Section 12-1.410 of this article. If proof of ownership cannot be established within a reasonable amount of time, such vessel shall be dealt with in accordance with Section 12-1.304 of Article 3 of this chapter.

(§ 5, Ord. 2192 c.s., eff. April 6, 1977, as amended by § 1, Ord. 2815 c.s., eff. April 23, 1998)

Charges imposed by the City for the recovery and/or movement of vessels shall be in accordance with the "Schedule of Charges for Services Rendered and Supplies Furnished by the Harbor Patrol," as approved by the Director. A copy of this schedule shall be posted in a public area of the Harbor Patrol building.

(§ 5, Ord. 2192 c.s., eff. April 6, 1977, as amended by § 1, Ord. 2815 c.s., eff. April 23, 1998)

Obstructions of fairways, channels, or berthing spaces, and removal of sunken vessels or other objects.

(a) It shall be unlawful to tie or anchor a vessel in the harbor, waterway, or maritime facility in such a manner as to obstruct the fairways or channels or to prevent or obstruct the passage of other vessels; or voluntarily or carelessly to sink, or allow to be sunk, any vessel or other object in any channel, fairway, or berthing space; or to float loose timbers, debris logs, or piles in any channel, fairway, or berthing space in such a manner as to impede navigation or cause damages to vessels therein.

(b) Whenever a vessel is sunk in the harbor, waterway, or maritime facility accidentally or otherwise, it shall be the duty of the owner of such vessel to mark it immediately by a buoy or beacon by day and by a lantern by night and to maintain such markings until the sunken vessel or obstruction is removed, and the neglect or failure of such owner to do so shall be unlawful. The owner of such sunken vessel shall immediately commence the removal of such vessel and prosecute the removal diligently to completion.

(c) Whenever the navigation of any waters within the harbor, waterway, or maritime facility, including moorings and berths therein, shall be obstructed or endangered by any sunken vessel or other obstruction, and the obstruction or danger has existed for a period of more than 12 hours, the vessel or obstruction shall be subject to removal, sale, or other disposition in accordance with Section 12-1.304 of Article 3 of this chapter. The owner of such vessel or other property causing such obstruction or danger shall be liable to the City for all costs incident to such removal and disposition, and the City, and its employees, agents, and officers, shall not be liable for damages of any nature whatsoever arising out of or in any way connected with the removal, sale, or disposition of such vessel or other property.

(§ 5, Ord. 2192 c.s., eff. April 6, 1977, as amended by § 1, Ord. 2815 c.s., eff. April 23, 1998)

Any vessel which may enter the harbor, waterway, or maritime facility in a disabled condition, or any vessel within the harbor, waterway, or maritime facility which may for any reason be rendered disabled shall immediately become subject to the orders and directions of the Harbor Master, and it shall be unlawful for any person to fail or refuse to comply with the Harbor Master's orders or directions with regard to the disposition of such vessel.

(§ 5, Ord. 2192 c.s., eff. April 6, 1977, as amended by § 1, Ord. 2815 c.s., eff. April 23, 1998)

No person shall maneuver, secure, or permit to be anchored or moor in the harbor, waterway, or maritime facility a vessel of any kind whatsoever which is unseaworthy or in a badly deteriorated condition, or which is likely to sink or to damage docks, wharves, floats, and/or other vessels, or which may become a menace to navigation. Any vessel in such condition is hereby declared to be a nuisance and shall immediately become subject to the orders and directions of the Harbor Master, and it shall be unlawful for any person to fail or refuse to comply with orders or directions of the Harbor Master with regard to the disposition of such vessel.

(§ 5, Ord. 2192 c.s., eff. April 6, 1977, as amended by § 1, Ord. 2815 c.s., eff. April 23, 1998)

All vessels, skiffs, rowboats, sunken or dilapidated vessels, vessels on unauthorized moorings, or other structures, timbers, floats, or property found within the harbor, not in the lawful possession or control of any person, may be taken into custody by the Harbor Master and held or placed in storage. The City, Harbor Master or authorized representatives shall not be held liable for any damages to such vessel or property nor liable to its owners before or after assuming such custody. Vessels or property so taken into custody shall be released to the owner by the Harbor Master only after satisfactory proof of ownership has been presented and full reimbursement has been made to the City for all costs incident to the recovery, movement, and storage, as set forth in Section 12-1.410 of this article. If proof of ownership cannot be established within a reasonable amount of time, such vessel or property shall be dealt with in accordance with Section 12-1.304 of Article 3 of this chapter.

(§ 5, Ord. 2192 c.s., eff. April 6, 1977, as amended by § 1, Ord. 2815 c.s., eff. April 23, 1998)

(a) The operator of any vessel which collides with any unattended vessel within the harbor, waterway, or maritime facility shall immediately secure the operator's vessel and shall forthwith notify the owner of the struck vessel of the name and address of the operator and/or the owner of the striking vessel, either in person or by leaving in a conspicuous place in the struck vessel a written notice giving such name and address and a statement of the circumstances. The operator shall immediately report the incident to the Harbor Master. Failure to render such notice and report shall be a violation of this article.

(b) The rendering of the notice and report as set forth in subsection (a) of this section shall not exonerate any boat operator or owner from rendering the accident reports required by the Harbors and Navigation Code of the State or any other reports required by law.

(§ 5, Ord. 2192 c.s., eff. April 6, 1977, as amended by § 1, Ord. 2815 c.s., eff. April 23, 1998)