Next BOA Meeting

Boat Access During Events and Filming

by

Pat O’Connor

The City of Long Beach is a growing metropolis. Currently, with it’s backdrop of scenic beauty, it is being selected as a major venue by the film industry and event organizers. Over 800 filming production days and 200 event days are on the calendar each year.

With over 3,000 boaters in the three harbors of Rainbow Marina, Shoreline, and Alamitos Bay, access to one’s boat, particularly the 400+ live-aboards, has become an ongoing and increasing problem. Growth is natural and this type of growth has been a tremendous economic boom to the City of Long Beach. 3.2 million dollars was generated in permits alone with 8.3 million in film revenue from ‘Ironman’, ‘Dexter’, and ‘CSI Miami’ to name a few. Yes, we are indeed, ‘Miami’.

As a boat owner in Long Beach, I have had my share of difficulties in getting to my boat during the special events, especially “The Gay Pride Parade”, some during the Long Beach Grand Prix and some parking problems at filming locations. I often wondered, as do you, if anyone knew or cared about the various problems created by these events.

Thursday evening, May 29th, at Shoreline Yacht Club four distinguished speakers from the City of Long Beach spoke to the boat owners impacted by the events as part of the speaker series organized by the Long Beach Marina Boat Owners Association. Mr. Mark Sandoval, Manager of Marinas and Beaches, Mr. David Ashman, who oversees the filming and special events, Ms. Tasha Day, Film Commissioner and Event Coordinator, and Sergeant Jeff Garcia of the Long Beach Police Department, all addressed issues from the boaters in attendance.

Adroitly fielding the thoughtful questions and addressing the expressed concerns, each speaker showed their personal knowledge of, experience with, and empathy towards the numerous issues. The obvious issues were parking, traffic, noise levels, profanity, communication, road closures, and citations. It was explained that the City officials share the boaters’ concerns and that they do what they can to support the boat owners. Mr. Sandoval said, “We don’t drive the economics …and we do value your input”. Ms Day stated that “We do listen and say no a lot (to permit requests). Filming is going to happen. My job is to make you happy”. Further explaining the complex process of permit issuance, Mr. Ashman reiterated that they come up with “the best plan to address the issues”.

The evening was insightful, humorous with questions concerning dogs, pedestrians walking through the parking lots, and the homeless in the restrooms, but I feel very productive. Every issue is and will be addressed by the City. We have great people such as these speakers who are on our side and do care about us, the boat owners. Know that your peaceful input is acted upon in a respectful and professional manner as quickly as possible.

I believe it is a blessing and true privilege to be able to enjoy the pristine beauty of these marinas and the events they attract from a boat owners perspective. Your membership in The Long Beach Marina Boat Owners Association and thus, the representation by its officers, gives you a voice to those that care about your concerns. Constructive dialogue through meetings such as this will enable all of us to truly enjoy our privileged setting in this great community.

I would like to personally thank, in addition to the speakers, Ms. Laurie Little, Manager of Shoreline Marina, for taking an interest and distributing the gangway flyers advertising this event. Also, the assistance of Vice Commodore Stan Jackson and Ms. Stacy Dowdall of Shoreline Yacht Club for graciously hosting this well attended event.

As a member of B.O.A., the next meeting of the speaker series will be mailed to you. It will be held at Seal Beach Yacht Club late this summer. Remember, your attendance and input is very important.