Lifeguards, Harbor Patrol perform salvage in California

Can you imagine if this was your contract area? The story below is from the SoCal boating newspaper The Log, and you can read it by clicking here, but I have pasted the entire story below.


Lifeguards, Harbor Patrol Officers Save Boat
Thursday, May 29, 2008 2:26:00 PM
Last updated: Thursday, May 29, 2008 2:26:00 PM

NEWPORT BEACH – Orange County Sheriff’s Harbor Patrol officers and Newport Beach Lifeguards worked to rescue a boat that drifted ashore April 30 on Corona del Mar State Beach.
Strong winds caused a 27-foot sailboat, one of many vessels anchored off Corona del Mar State Beach, to drag anchor and eventually be blown into shallow water and become grounded. By the time Newport Beach Lifeguards and Harbor Patrol officers reached the vessel, its keel was stuck in the sand. “With the lifeguards’ approval, we waited for the tide to come up, put a line on it, and it floated,” said Harbor Patrol Deputy Joel Monroe. Officers then impounded the vessel, which is required when a boat runs ashore, since it is considered a hazard, he explained. The vessel, Salubrious, currently has a broken rudder. Michael Juneau, a liveaboard who owns the boat, is in the process of getting the rudder fixed.

I love how the HarPats get the lifeguards' approval to wait for the tide. I wonder if anyone contacted the USCG? Did the HarPats have to provide a salvage plan to the USCG? Is it USCG policy to exempt Harbor Patrols from having and following a salvage plan?

If they waited for the tide (which is what they said they did), then how can this be anything other than a salvage? Unless CPORT gets deeply involved with this issue, I fear SoCal is a lost cause.