City of Oceanside Harbor

At the most recent HBAC meeting, several comments were made regarding people feeding birds and sea lions. Both are prohibited by City Municipal Code. The larger issue becomes enforcement of this activity. There are several signs posted around the Harbor, but not everyone will read them. Please notify the Harbor if you see flagrant abuse of this activity. The last picture in this post is a young girl being bitten by a sea lion. Allegedly the family had been feeding a seal lion just prior to the attack.

Harbor staff recently made some modifications to the seal platform with the hope of attracting more seals and sea lions. The center of the platform was removed to allow the seals to enter and exit from the middle. The low profile Can Dock was removed from the transient dock and attached to the platform. Staff has also clearly marked the transient dock for the allowable area to launch a kayak or paddleboard. The signs prohibiting the new electric powered surfboards with foils has been posted.

Another Harbor restroom improvement is under way at Service Building #9 (N dock). The next restroom improvement will occur at Service Building #7 (Z Dock). SB7 is scheduled to start around January 5, 2021. After the completion of these two restroom improvements, Service Building #6 (B dock) restrooms will be improved in the Fall of 2021. That will be the completion of the Harbor restroom improvement project.

In 2016, City Council and the Harbor Board of Directors approved an ordinance amending Chapter 29 of the Oceanside City Code by modifying Section 29A.16 allowing the use of paddle boards inside the Harbor. Whereas surfboards and boogie boards had previously been restricted from use inside the Harbor, the term surfboard, boogie board or similar type of watercraft was inadvertently left out of the ordinance as a restriction. In order to enforce the restriction of surfbo...ards or bodyboards in the Harbor, the ordinance needed to be modified back to the original language. That was recently accomplished. In addition to the restriction on these type of watercraft, language was added to ensure that electric powered surfboards or bodyboards are also restricted. Temporary signs will be placed at our kayak/paddleboard launch docks to inform the general public. See more

Boat Rentals of America is taking additional measures to help with safety inside the Harbor. These signs have recently been added. Do not hesitate to contact them on Channel 12 if you spot any rental boat violation.

The Harbor Playground has been under renovation. Several parts and slides have been replaced and most of the hard metal surfaces have been repainted. The final element will be the replacement of the soft rubber surface under the playground. Anticipated re-opening in early November.

The State and County has lifted restrictions on recreational boating to allow non-family members on board. This opens the door for Oceanside Yacht Club to host small race events. Please continue to follow safety protocols such as; face coverings and/or social distancing when appropriate.

Another Harbor restroom improvement is under way at Service Building #9 (N dock). The next restroom improvement will occur at Service Building #7 (Z Dock). SB7 is scheduled to start around January 5, 2021. After the completion of these two restroom improvements, Service Building #6 (B dock) restrooms will be improved in the Fall of 2021. That will be the completion of the Harbor restroom improvement project.

Had to share the photos of the beach by the pier. Looking good.

UPDATE: IN AN EMAIL RECEIVED TODAY (9/23/20), MANSON EXPECTS TO COMPLETE ALL DEMOBILIZATION BY FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2ND. As of today, Manson Construction has dredged 140,000 cubic yards of sand from the Harbor Inlet. They plan to complete dredging operation on Thursday, September 24. They have indicated they will dredge approximately 40,000 to 50,000 more cubic yards of sand before they cease operations. De-mobilization will begin Friday. Manson hopes to complete all de-mobilization by next Friday, October 2, pending no weather delays. Mason Construction is expected to return to Oceanside Harbor in early April 2021 to complete our annual Spring dredge.

Harbor dredge appears to be right on schedule. The dredge outfall is now South of the Pier. It will continue to move South until 180,000 cubic yards of sand is dredged and deposited on City beaches. If the weather continues to cooperate, this may be finished by October 1.

Camp Pendleton will start Osprey operations on Thursday, September 17. They indicate this will be a one day operation. Expect dust and noise.

The dredge vessel arrived today and will begin dredging around 2pm. Dredged sand will be deposited at the Pier for two days and then will move southward for the remaining dredge cycle. Heavy waves are expected in a few days, so Manson is trying to get ahead of schedule. They still expect to be completely gone by October 1st, however, we know from past experience, anything can happen.

UPDATE: HR MORRIS DREDGE VESSEL WILL ARRIVE ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 AND DREDGING WILL START ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16. Manson Construction and the Army Corp are mobilizing quickly on Harbor Beach. Pipe is being trucked in, the bird protection fence is going up in the river bed and dredge vessels are on route. Mason Construction indicated they expect to start dredging the channel on Monday, September 14.

Enjoy Labor Day Weekend. Stay safe.

The emergency dredge is scheduled to take place as planned, starting Tuesday, September 8. The Army Corps of Engineers awarded the contract to Manson Construction and funding for the 180,000 cubic yards was approved. Lot 12 will be closed for the duration of the dredge. The first 7-10 days will consist of mobilizing equipment, dredge pipe and vessels. Harbor Beach will be used to stage the delivery of pipe and re-weld the plastic pipe into 500' sections. Those sections will be dragged to the City beach. The first location to deposit sand is expected to be just north of the Pier. Manson Construction anticipates moving the dredge out-fall as far south as possible. Hopefully that will provide a nice base of sand for the next dredge cycle in the Spring.

With the increased boating activity in the Harbor, there has also been an increase of swimming. There are many reasons swimming is prohibited: Boats with engines running and swimmers simply do not mix. Boat operators have trouble seeing swimmers due to obstructions in and around the water, and poor visibility of the small fraction of the swimmer that is above the water’s surface. A boat’s moving propeller(s) will cause severe or fatal injuries if contact is made. Although ...the possibility of electrocution is much lower in salt water compared to fresh water, that danger still exists. If you see anyone swimming in the Harbor, please call Police Dispatch at 760-435-4900 to report the violation. SEC. 29A.15. IT SHALL BE UNLAWFUL FOR A PERSON TO ENGAGE IN THE ACT OF SWIMMING IN ANY PORTION OF THE HARBOR, INCLUDING THE MAIN CHANNEL OR ENTRANCE. See more

Looking for 4-5 slip renters that would like to volunteer a little time to discussion regarding the upcoming program to identify and permit small dinghies on side ties throughout the Harbor. Please email your name, slip location #, contact info, and reason why you would like to participate. Please email:[email protected]