Marina del Rey : New Law on Charter Boats

A revised ordinance cracking down on illegal charter boats operating out of Marina del Rey has won the blessing of the Small Craft Harbor Commission.

The advisory body voted 4 to 0 Wednesday to recommend that the County Board of Supervisors approve a proposed change in the county’s Harbor Ordinance aimed at halting what one county official called “patently illegal commercial operations” taking place in the marina.

The proposed change would prohibit the owner or operator of a commercial vessel from using marina docks to load or unload passengers or cargo unless they have a lease with a marina operator. However, the ordinance does not specify a penalty for violators.

Officials of the Department of Beaches and Harbors, who oversee the marina, have expressed concern about potential liability, safety and parking problems associated with unregulated use of marina docks by charter boats. In addition, the county loses revenue when charter boats operate illegally in the publicly owned marina.

At a hearing last month, the county’s efforts to stop illegal charters won praise from the operators of several large charter boats that use the marina facilities legally. But some owners of smaller boats complained that they have no place to dock and are being driven out of business. After the vote, several boat owners renewed their appeal that the county consider establishing facilities for additional charter operations in the marina.

County officials agreed that there is demand for additional charter boats, and said they would study the matter.