Title
Harbormaster Update - May 2026 Activities
Recommendation
This report summarizes Harbor Department activities for May 2026, organized around the department's mission to keep Newport Harbor clean, safe, and well-enjoyed. Key highlights include continued trash rover operations with CERT volunteer support, enforcement actions addressing illegal charter operations and unpermitted commercial activity, and multiple vessel assists, including a side-tow of a vessel experiencing steering failure. The department issued Notices of Violation for noise violations and unauthorized public dock use by commercial charter operators and filed a Criminal Complaint - resulting in a bench warrant - against a repeat illegal charter operator.
The Harbor Department assumed early management responsibility for the Balboa Yacht Basin on June 1, 2026, generating approximately $35,000 in immediate savings and projecting more than $175,000 in annual operational savings in the future. Public contacts reached 168 in May, the highest monthly total recorded in 2026 to date.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Determine this action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines because this action will not result in a physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly; and
2. Receive and file.