Apologies for the late release of the Marina Reader. I bear sole responsibility. Like a siren, the outdoors has been distracting me from my desk duties and I’ve been out and about visiting project sites. I will blame my inability to focus on too much time spent alone in my office on Zoom meetings. Until recently I hadn’t realized how much I missed seeing everyone’s beautiful faces and interacting with residents and customers. Regardless of differing political or personal beliefs regarding masking and vaccinations, I am glad that under the recent health order we can see each other’s smiles and frowns. As you plan for Opening Day festivities please be mindful and respectful of each other and health order restrictions. And don’t forget to enjoy yourselves.

Marinas and Beaches has been focused on ADA projects over the last few months. We completed the upgrades to the Pierpoint Landing public restrooms which included new compliant toilets and sinks. On March 29, 2022, the revitalized playground and restroom at Colorado Lagoon will open to the public. This project included an expanded playground, new picnic benches, irrigation system, playground sand, grass and vegetation, and upgraded electrical for the restroom. An ADA compliant ramp into the restroom and an ADA path from the restroom, around the playground and along the beach were also new additions. In February we received CA Coastal Commission approval for the installation of Accessmat© at Alamitos Beach, Granada Beach and Mother’s Beach. These removable mats will provide access from designated points to the water’s edge. We anticipate installation by mid-May.

Regarding the Alamitos Bay Parking Plan, I’d like to thank all of you who participated in the meetings. As you are aware, the Boatowner’s Association, the Seal Beach Yacht Club and others provided feedback and information at the January and February Marine Advisory Commission (MAC) meetings. In addition, I received letters and emails with various comments and perspectives. All information was reviewed and followed-up by the Commissioners. On February 22, 2022, MAC forwarded a letter to the Mayor and City Council regarding the parking plan. Currently, we are awaiting further direction on next steps. Please continue to provide comments, questions and concerns to my attention at elvira.hallinan@longbeach.gov or to Todd Leland at todd.leland@longbeach.gov. We will provide updates as information becomes available.

Take care,
Elvira Hallinan
Manager of Marinas and Beaches
Marina Offices are open and accepting new vessel permit applications. To keep you and our staff safe from COVID-19 we are continuing window service at ABM and Shoreline offices. Note – Many requests can be readily handled by phone or email. 

Maintain a slow speed while in or approaching the Long Beach Marinas. This also applies for when you are passing or approaching other vessels out on the water. Not only is it dangerous to go quickly in these areas, but it will also create a large wake that will affect other boaters, docks and beachgoers nearby.

Pay attention to the weather forecast before heading out and keep an eye on any bad weather heading our way. Stay in your slip or turn back to shore if you think it’s going to storm.

Have a float plan before you head out on the water. It is important to have a float plan in place so that someone on land knows where you might be just in case something happens. Make sure to carry a fully charged waterproof VHF marine radio on board. If you have an emergency while out on the water, you can contact the Coast Guard on channel 16.

Most of all, use common sense. Always stay alert and focused on what is happening around you, and operate your vessel at a safe speed, especially around the marina or other busy areas. Don’t forget that larger ships will take longer to stop or turn, so stay clear of getting in their way.

Unauthorized commercial activity is ILLEGAL IN LONG BEACH – Please do not engage in unauthorized commercial activity at, on or near Long Beach Marinas property. Violators can and will be cited and punished to the full extent of applicable law. Reminder – Unauthorized Commercial activity will put your slip permit in jeopardy of cancellation.
 
DID YOU KNOW? Benjamin Franklin satirically suggested the implementation of a Daylight Saving Time (DST) in a 1784 essay publication. DST was first instituted during World War I as a means of saving coal and electricity resources. Congress has extended the length of Daylight Saving Time three times. Today, it runs for eight months, while Standard Time is just four.
The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach is returning to the streets of Downtown only six months after a successful September 2021 race weekend event. The event is described as much more than a race weekend: it is a three-day, two evening festival, combining world-class racing with a wide variety of activities for the whole family, all taking place on the streets of downtown Long Beach.

The City expects more than 185,000 fans will see five exciting racing events headlined by the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, the same cars and stars that run in the Indianapolis 500 each year. In addition, North America’s top sports cars, drifting and Robby Gordon’s jumping SUPER Trucks will be showcased during the weekend.

Off the track, the Acura Grand Prix will have the popular Lifestyle Expo and Family Fun Zone that combines family-friendly activities with a show featuring the latest in home, automotive and personal products. There is also a Food Truck Experience with food trucks from all over L.A., the Mothers Exotic Car Paddock (Sunday only) and driver autograph sessions.

Saturday night at approx. 6 p.m. on the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center Terrace Plaza (in front of the Long Beach Performing Arts Center), Grand Prix fans will see all-star rock band Royal Machines – with special guests – presented by Acura and ASM Global. The show is free to Saturday race ticket holders. Royal Machines is self-described as “Rock’s Greatest All-Star Band.” The group includes Mark McGrath (of Sugar Ray), Dave Navarro (of Jane’s Addiction), Billy Morrison (of Billy Idol and The Cult), Chris Chaney (of Jane’s Addiction), Donovan Leitch and Josh Freese (of The Vandals).

Just as in September 2021, the event group will strictly follow health and safety guidelines set by state, county and local health officials that will be in effect at the time of the event. Vehicle access to Shoreline and Rainbow Marinas and boatowner parking will be unchanged from September 2021. More information on vehicle access and boatowner parking will be provided to slip permittees as race weekend draws near.
In April the Seal Beach Yacht Club will be holding a boater safety course. The America’s Boating Course (ABC III) is an exciting, in-depth boating knowledge course comprised of four, two-hour class sessions. Many boat insurance companies will offer discounts to boaters who successfully complete America’s Boating Course. And, this basic boating knowledge course will give you the education required by the State of California to obtain a California Boater’s Card.

The basic boating knowledge topics include: Introduction to Boating: types of power boats; sailboats; outboards; paddle boats; houseboats; different uses of boats; various power boating engines; jet drives; family boating basics.
Boating Law: boat registration; boating regulation; hull identification number; required boat safety equipment; operating safely and reporting accidents; protecting the marine environment; Federal boat law; state boating laws; personal watercraft requirements.

Boat Safety Equipment: personal flotation devices (“life jackets”); fire extinguishers; sound-producing devices; visual-distress signals; dock lines and rope; first aid kit; anchors and anchor lines; other boating safety equipment.

Safe Boating: bow riding; alcohol and drug abuse; entering, loading, and trimming a boat; fueling portable and permanent tanks; steering with a tiller and a wheel; docking, undocking and mooring; knots; filing a float plan; checking equipment, fuel, weather and tides; using charts; choosing and using an anchor; safe PWC handling; general water safety.

Navigation: the U.S. Aids to Navigation system; types of buoys and beacons; navigation rules (sometimes referred to as right-of-way rules); avoiding collisions; sound signals; PWC “tunnel vision.”
Boating Problems: hypothermia; boating accidents and rescues; man overboard recovery; capsizing; running aground; river hazards; strainers: emergency radio calls; engine problems; equipment failures; carbon monoxide (CO); other boating and PWC problems.

Trailering, Storing and Protecting Your Boat: types of trailers; trailer brakes, lights, hitches, tires, and bearings; loading, balancing, and towing (and backing) a trailer; boat launching and retrieving; boat storage and theft protection; launching, retrieving and storing a PWC.

Hunting and Fishing, Water-skiing and River Boating: carrying hunting gear and weapons in a boat; fishing from a boat; water-skiing safety guidelines and hand signals; water-skiing with a PWC; navigating rivers, and other boating tips.
                                                                  
America’s Boating Course – ABC III
Seal Beach Yacht Club
255 N. Marina Dr, Long Beach, CA
April 7, 14, 21, 28 at 7–9pm

Contact Dan Dawes, Long Beach Power Squadron, for information and registration, ddawes@dawespatents.com. Class limit 15. Cost $50 for the textbook and class.
On February 1 at zero dark thirty hours in the morning, the Marine Patrol headquarters was infiltrated by an unlawful inhabitant (a misdemeanor violation of California Penal Code 647(I)). The suspect entered the premise through an unsecured door to the supervisor’s office. Once inside, the suspect fell victim to their own narcissism. Still photos recovered from the scene captured the suspect admiring their own reflection in the mirror normally used by officers to check their uniform prior to leaving the office. The suspect remained in the office for several minutes before fleeing the way from which they came in. No items were missing from the office and no damage observed to the facility. The suspect was described by witnesses at the scene to have shiny brown hair, large brown eyes, a large nose, and walked with an unsteady gait.

The suspect was later identified to be a stray Sea Lion pup who had ventured in to visit us from the local coastal waters. Marine Patrol officers contacted Animal Care services who responded to the scene and safely took custody of the pup. Animal Care services later transferred the pup to San Pedro’s Marine Mammal Care Center. The pup was found to be a bit “skinny” and is currently under the care of the facility’s specialists. In a recent conversation with the pup’s caretakers, they advised that he is, “eating well and doing great”. As Marine Patrol officers, it is not uncommon for us to encounter marine animals in need of assistance. We take great pride in providing excellent customer service to ensure the safety of ALL marina patrons.
Over sixty years ago Long Beach Marina Boat Owners Association (BOA) was founded by boaters like you, as a grassroots, non-profit, organization with the mission of addressing and pursuing the common interests, issues, and concerns of all boat owners in the Long Beach marinas. As your representative, BOA maintains close communication with the Long Beach Marine Bureau, Long Beach Mayor, City Council members, yacht clubs, and other organizations that have an impact on the boating community. Recently BOA has been in the news leading a successful campaign against paid parking meters in the Alamitos Bay Marina Parking Lot. In 2022 it is anticipated that additional initiatives may be required to protect the parking lot. BOA members will receive priority notices of any new developments. In addition, we will stay vigilant with all changes being made, or planned, in all Long Beach Marinas.

BOA invites you to join, or renew, your membership. The annual membership donation is $20.00. You can find instructions and the application form on the BOA Web site https://lbmboa.org/contact/.

BOA is also now in the process of Board member development. If you would like to get involved to help us support our boating community, join our Board and volunteer your time to help make the Long Beach Marinas an exceptional place for all of us. If you would like information about a Board position, contact BOA President, Tom Mayes, or Executive Vice President, Joan Palango, MemberServices@lbmboa.org.
Recently several Alamitos Bay Marina customers have received phishing emails with Marine Bureau staff listed as the sender. However, the “From:” email address was not an authorized City of Long Beach email and the email address does not belong to any Marine Bureau staff or City of Long Beach employee.

A bad actor is utilizing readily available City of Long Beach employee information to attack your cybersecurity. In response we have contacted our Technology & Innovation Department team to make them aware of this issue and they are monitoring and hardening the security of all our networked systems. If you receive an email communication from Long Beach Marinas staff please make certain to verify the origin of the email. All emails coming from the Long Beach Marinas and our staff will be comprised of an @LONGBEACH.GOV address.

Furthermore, review the cybersecurity tips below to make sure you are keeping your personal information safe at home, at work and online.

  • Use Strong Passwords. Passwords used should be complex and difficult to decipher.
  • Safeguard your Devices. Lock your screen whenever your device is not in use. Password-locking your device will protect its contents until you enter the password. Never leave your mobile device or laptop unattended in public places.
  • Update Systems and Software. Update your operating system and software programs regularly or make sure that your system and programs automatically check for updates such as patches regularly. · Use an Anti-Malware Program. For personal devices, use a good anti-malware software programs, such as Norton, McAfee or Bitdefender, to detect and block known cyber threats. Malware can infect computers and networks when you download files from the internet, attachments from spam emails, or images or files from websites.
  • Wi-Fi networks. Only use secured, private Wi-Fi whenever possible or use a cellular network connection when secure Wi-Fi connections are unavailable. Public Wi-Fi is not recommended, especially when transmitting sensitive or confidential information. If a remote user has to connect via public Wi-Fi, the recommendation is to connect via a virtual private network (VPN) software that provides an encrypted connection to help prevent data theft. 

           Phishing -
  • Exercise caution before opening emails, clicking links, visiting websites, or making donations online.
  • Watch for a sense of urgency in the message. If the message is demanding immediate action consider that it may be phishing.
  • Never respond to requests for personal information. Those asking for your name, phone number, social security number, credit card, login credentials, etc.
  • Spelling and/or grammatical errors are often indicators of phishing. Rarely do legitimate e-mail messages contain these types of mistakes.
  • Hover over any embedded links or buttons. Examine the web address that appears. This can provide a clue to where the link will take you.
  • Watch out for unexpected attachments. If you are not expecting an email with an attachment, check with the sender (if you actually know the sender).
  • Do not visit untrusted or unfamiliar websites to view information. Malicious websites often imitate legitimate websites, but the URL may use a variation in spelling or a different domain (e.g., .com vs .org).
Nick Chilton started with the City of Long Beach Marine Bureau in 2016 working as a Maintenance Assistant II non-career employee in our Beach Maintenance Division. He quickly demonstrated efficiency, competency and skill and promoted to a full-time employee. During his time with the Marine Bureau, he has honed his professional maintenance skills at both Beach and Queensway Bay yards.

Recently Nick has taken on the lead role in working with our Community Service Work Program. Nick takes great pride in his work and always has a smile on his face. He operates light equipment, like our Tenant floor sweeper used to detail the East Side Peninsula Walk, and the bike and pedestrian path sweeper to ensure they remain clean and debris free for our guest users.

He was born in Las Vegas and his family moved to Cypress, Ca when he was in elementary school. As a child Nick enjoyed playing sports, skateboarding and hanging out with friends. He attended Cypress High School in Cypress, CA where he excelled in both baseball and football. In his free time Nick enjoys playing all types of sports, camping and spending quality time with his wife Cassandra and 7-month-old son Cam. As a new father, he is really enjoying raising his son. He considers himself a diehard Los Angeles Angels, New England Patriots and Los Angeles Galaxy fan.

One of the things we really like about Nick, is he has a way of making work fun! He plans to apply for advancement positions soon. Nick is a great asset to the Long Beach Marinas team, and we appreciate everything he does for the community day in and day out.