Make way for more boats

It seems like such a simple idea, but no one had really thought of it before.

Yacht owners can now park more than one boat at a time on the floating docks down at Newport Harbor.

The Harbor Commission recently made Multiple Vessel Mooring systems a mainstay after an 18-month trial run by Newport Harbor Yacht Club members.

“We’re continually exploring how to make it a better bay for residents and the boating community. This is Step 1,” said Harbor Commission Chairman Ralph Rodheim.

The multiple vessel mooring system is a 40-foot long floating dock that can store two, 20-foot boats on one side, or one 40-foot boat per side. The commission’s approval falls in line with the group’s mission of using the harbor as efficiently as possible, Rodheim said.

Settling multiple boats on a single floating dock has been in the works for the last two years, Rodheim said. The Harbor Commission approved three multiple vessel mooring systems for Newport Harbor Yacht Club in January 2006. The pilot program was scheduled to expire in June so yacht club members made their appeal before then.

Staying true to the experimental spirit, many of the augmentations to the multiple mooring systems were homegrown.

Yacht club members created two separate mooring systems, the “Mark I” for storing four vessels, and the “Mark II” for two vessels. The systems adjust with the wind and tide, making it easier for people to off-board, or tie their boats down. They’re also equipped with an emergency towing bridle and anchor.

Sailors figured out the load the system put on the mooring using a rudimentary system of cables of various strengths, noting the stronger ones would not break. Harbor Commission staff also noted the floats are the same size as high-rise powerboats, but with less impact to nearby sailors.

Rodheim said the multiple vessel system is only the beginning. The commission is also exploring a star-designed system for mooring five boats, similar to something used in Chicago, he said. They’re also looking into a floating marina that would add 30% to 40% more boats but occupy little more space, Rodheim said.

JOSEPH SERNA may be reached at (714) 966-4619 or at [email protected].