The Southern California coast is known for its sandy beaches, warm sunshine, and beautiful cruising grounds. The region starting at Dana Point and ending in Huntington Beach is even called the Southern California Riviera. Now one city within that region is considering redeveloping its harbor to attract megayacht owners and charterers alike.
Officials in Newport Beach have been studying the harbor and believe a megayacht dock can be created near Lido Marina Village. The location has a turning basin with deep enough water that could accommodate yachts to about 150 feet (46 meters). The city would include electricity, water, and sewage hookups.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the mayor of Newport Beach, Mike Henn, wants to make the area a “world-class” harbor. The idea of targeting megayacht owners and guests originally arose last year. Then, Henn and other city officials discussed redeveloping Lido Marina Village. The site hosts the annual Newport Boat Show, the oldest and largest in-water show on the West Coast. At a recent city council meeting, the topic came up again. Ralph Rodheim, the harbor commissioner, was quoted by the Los Angeles Times as saying, “If we’re really going to be a world-class harbor, we’ve got to accommodate megayachts.”
Rodheim and other city officials believe the owners and guests would enjoy the local restaurants. They could further patronize local marine businesses, including Newport Harbor Shipyard, which can service yachts to 150 feet LOA and has a TraveLift for yachts to 90 tons. Among the yachts the shipyard has serviced in recent years: the Westport Vango, which received a deck extension in 2008 to accommodate a helicopter. City officials also believe the presence of the yachts would attract more residents and tourists to the restaurants and boardwalk.
“We’re always trying to get pleasure craft to come and dock, and even stay overnight,” the paper quoted Gary Sherwin, president of Visit Newport, as saying. “Any opportunity to bring in more of that business would always be good news for Newport Beach.”
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