Marina del Rey : Curbs Set on Illegal Boats

Los Angeles County officials told Marina del Rey boat owners Wednesday that they intend to crack down on illegal charter boats operating out of the harbor.

Eric Bourdon, assistant director of the Department of Beaches and Harbors, said at a public hearing that tougher controls on charter boats are necessary to combat “patently illegal commercial operations” taking place in the marina.

A proposed change in the county’s harbor ordinance would prohibit the owner or operator of a commercial vessel from using marina docks to unload or unload passengers or cargo unless they have a lease allowing them to do so.

County officials want the new restriction adopted in coming months to deal with potential liability, safety and parking problems, along with loss of revenue associated with unregulated use of marina docks for charter boats.

The county’s efforts won praise from operators of several charter boats that use the marina facilities legally, but other boat owners complained they have no place to dock their boats and are being driven out of business.