HomeMy WebLinkAbout- Item 1 - Water Propelled Vessel Recommendation - HC Staff Report Q�EVVFpRr
CITY OF
NEWPORT ACH
°gMoaN'r Harbor Commission Staff Report Agenda Item No. 1
October 13, 2014
TO: HARBOR COMMISSION
FROM: Public Works Department
Chris Miller, Harbor Resources Manager
949-644-3043, cmiller@newportbeachca.gov
TITLE: Water Propelled Vessels: Ad Hoc Committee Recommendation
ABSTRACT:
The Water Propelled Vessel Ad Hoc Committee will present their recommended course of
action on this issue to the Harbor Commission who will then form a recommendation to forward
to the City Council.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Approve the Water Propelled Vessel Ad Hoc Committee's recommendation and forward
to the City Council.
FUNDING REQUIREMENTS:
There is no fiscal impact related to this item.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
Staff recommends the Harbor Commission find this action is not subject to the California
Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result
in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and
15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA Guidelines,
California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting in
physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly.
NOTICING:
The agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of the
meeting at which the Harbor Commission considers the item).
Submitted by: Xl
Chris Miller
Water Propelled Vessels
Ad Hoc Committee Report
• 0 -
Definition
• Water Propelled Vessel Above Water Surface
• JetLev, Jetpack, Flyboard, Jetovator, Aquaflyer, Aquaboard etc. . .
• User wears a backpack, boots, board or "bicycle" usually
connected to a personal watercraft type vessel via a hose
• Water forced down, creating lift, raising user above the water
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Background
• City staff has received inquires from 2 other companies
wishing to operate in Newport
• June 2014: Council adopted Urgency Ordinance 2014- 11
• 6 month prohibition on issuing new permits
• Direction to Harbor Commission to form ad hoc committee
• July 2014: Harbor Commission creates Ad Hoc Committee
• Commissioners Stapleton, Kenney and McIntosh
Issues
• Location
• Safety
• Sound Concerns
• Operation of Equipment
• Commercial vs. Private
• Hours of Operation
• Large Wakes
• Pollution Concerns
• Other Vessels
Public Outreach
• August 11 — Ad Hoc Meeting
• Identified issues
• Public input received
• August 13 — Harbor Commission
• Public input received
• August 20 — Ad Hoc Meeting
• Commercial operators: Allow? How many?
• Private operators: Allow? Location?
Public Outreach
• September 3 — Ad Hoc Meeting
• Commissioner Stapleton recusal
• "Tourist Draw" & "Revenue Generator" added to list of issues
• Attendees asked whether "For or Against" and why, in 2 words
• September 10 — Harbor Commission
• Public input received
October 6 — Ad Hoc Meeting
• Coast Guard assessing how to regulate this activity
Committee Research and
Reconnaissance
• Committee Member observations
• Significant restriction of commercial operation in other areas
• Research types of equipment
• Jetpack America
• htW://wwwvoutubc.com/watch?v=gl7A6znsfOM
• Flyboard
• httl2://wwwyoutube.com/watch?v=m4Bm3cs9TFo
• Jetovator
htip://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xie8Tc-l-la6s
Committee Research and
Reconnaissance
• Equipment available to private consumer at low cost
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The Hydro Powered Jetovator.
This is the flying, steerable seat that suspends its rider 25'in the air with
three powerful)ets of water. An easily installed and removable U-adapter
re-directs 90%of the rearward thrust of an existing personal watercraft. A
_ 40'home connects the Rwc to the flying oats rear and-(ileo!" the Steve
three water jet nozzles with high-volume, low-pressure watw for speeds up
to 25 mph. As a driver conhnls the traimg personal watercraft, the flying
seat's rider steers with two individuality controlled water nozzle levers that
enable backflips, barrel rills, corkscrews. and even 10'dives underwater.
The seat's rider stands on two feat pads over a methane foam-padded
motorcyle-style seat.The lightweght flying seat's hydrodynamic powder.
coated aluminum tubular frame provdee optimal thrust•to•weight repo
while enabling reliable use in salt water, and its buoyant polyethylene body
provides Rotation. Safe, proRcrent operation typically requires only 20
rwnu[es of instruction.Special tondrhons and guarantee linrtabons apply.
48'L x 20'W 15'D. (100 lbs.)
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Committee Research and
Reconnaissance
• Current operator uses 3 safety and instructional personnel
for each rider
• Private/consumer operator: No safety personnel
Ad Hoc Committee Conclusions
Public concerns were predominantly noise and safety
2 . Current operator (Jetpack America) , has excellent safety
record.
3 . No specific location in harbor designated because:
a) Amount of area required
b) Need to move around harbor to mitigate noise
Ad Hoc Committee Conclusions
4. Because goal is to fly high and fast, both commercial and
private operation could regularly violate speed restrictions
Ad Hoc Committee Conclusions
5 . Because • operators are not experienced, potential for
accidents •
Close landing near kayakers and
vessel traffic
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Ad Hoc Committee Conclusions
6 . Because operating in the ocean outside of Newport Harbor
is still an economically viable business model.
Ad Hoc Committee Recommendation
Prohibit both commercial and private operation of
vessels propelled by water above the surface of
Newport Harbor
For More Information
http : / /www.newportbeachca. gov/index.aspx?page= 2 3 90
Chris Miller, Harbor Manager
cmiller&newportbeachca. gov
0
(949) 644-3043
Shannon Levin, Harbor Analyst
shannon&newportbeachca. gov
(949) 644-3041