Questions of how illegal charter operations are managed in Orange County – specifically Dana Point Harbor – were recently brought to The Log’s attention. Answers are still being sought, yet a discussion could still be hard – especially in the context of informing consumers of what to pay attention to whenever they board a six-pack or other charter for the purpose of catching some yellowtail or interacting with whales.
Going Rogue?
Dana Point Harbor is home to “rogue” charters, according to the Dana Wharf website.
“Beware of ‘rogue’ charter boats! Make sure your charter boat has insurance,” the website’s section on charter rentals stated.
The notice, written with a mix of red and black letters, also lists the locations where customers can board legal charter boats (whether six-pack or otherwise): Dana Wharf, Dick Simon Yachts, Dream Catcher Yachts and Mariner’s Yacht Charters.
Chartering a boat from any other location in Dana Point Harbor could mean it’s illegal, Dana Wharf staff stated.
Dana Wharf’s online, public notice cited Orange County Code of Regulations, Section 2-2-204-C-2, which discusses prohibited uses at Dana Point Harbor. The cited regulation specifically states commercial uses, such as charter services, can only operate at Dana Point Harbor with a county-issued license or permit.
Donna Kalez, Dana Wharf’s general manager, said she believes there’s certainly illegal charter activity at Orange County’s southernmost harbor.
“There are many boats that are not legit and don’t have a location but are just advertising a dock. We would like to see the county crackdown ASAP on this continued problem,” Kalez told The Log in an email. “If [the customer is] just paying a random person for a charter that is illegal.”
County Regulations
The Log reached out to O.C. Parks for some perspective on whether the county had any working knowledge of charter activities within Dana Point Harbor. Were there individuals taking people out on sportfishing or whale-watching trips for a fee but not fulfilling any licensing or permitting requirements? What regulations – in addition to County Code Section 2-2-204-C-2 – does Orange County have in place to govern charter services? What is the process to obtain a charter?
“O.C. Parks understands concerns associated with unauthorized businesses operating within Dana Point Harbor. The Orange County Codified Ordinances preclude unauthorized commercial activity on county property. We take seriously and investigate any reports of unauthorized business activity on O.C. Parks property,” Marisa O’Neil, a public information officer with O.C. Parks, told The Log in an email. “The county is in process of evaluating all commercial activity within the harbor and how best to manage the parking demand, signage, and enforcement measures while maintaining the recreational charm of Dana Point Harbor.”
Orange County officials have not yet responded to The Log’s questions, though a public information officer with O.C. Parks informed us they would provide answers after doing some research.
Failing to regulate illegal charters translates into lost revenue, as Orange County officials miss out on collecting permitting fees or taxes from “rogue” charter services.
Short-Term Rentals
Six-pack charters aren’t the only boat rental activities taking place on the water. The Loghas previously reported on recreational boats offered for rent on popular websites such as AirBnB and VRBO.
A recent check of short-term boat rentals (30-day rental or less) on AirBnB showed several boats available in Newport Beach.
One posting offered a Formula 330 SS in Newport Beach at $1,040 for 4 hours. The rate jumped to $1,240 for 6 hours and $1,540 for 8 hours. A captain could be hired at $40 per hour. Renting the boat with twin engines (500 horsepower each) did not include fuel costs.
Another post offered a 40-foot sailboat in Newport Beach Harbor for $195 per night.
No boat rentals appeared to be available in Dana Point Harbor, based upon a recent search on AirBnB and VRBO.
Short-term vacation rentals are generally regulated at the city level, though local and regional policymakers still appear to be figuring out how best to legislate the activity – both on land and water.
Santa Barbara Harbor
Charter operations proved to be a hot topic at a recent Santa Barbara Harbor Commission meeting, as the advisory board voted not to renew a charter permit for a boating excursion business operated by one Paul Noury.
An excursion operated by Noury reportedly caused more than $21,000 worth of damage to Stearns Wharf and threw three passengers overboard.
“Mr. Noury clearly exhibited reckless boating behavior,” Harbor Manager Mick Kronman told The Log, adding this kind of situation was certainly not the norm.
At Santa Barbara Harbor, 12 private charter operations are allowed to run. Smaller chartered operations are in direct competition with some of the larger business such as SEA Landing, who pays a lot of money to operate in comparison with the smaller private businesses.
Kronman added his department reviews an applicant’s entire history before deciding whether to grant a charter permit to a business.
“We only allow permits to those who can uphold [boating operations] to an exemplary fashion. People’s lives are in your hands.”
The harbor director referred to the Noury case as an example of what charter operations should avoid doing and why cities and counties regulate such activities. Noury, in the Stearns Wharf incident, reportedly entered the harbor at 20 knots and collided with the wharf, causing passengers to fall into the water. He then reportedly fled the scene of the crash during the busy summer hours in July. Waterfront Department staff added Noury did not report his annual profits for 10 years.
