The marina here I live (Dana Point, Ca.) is reconfiguring the harbor to add more slips. In order to do this they have to narrow the channel between two sides of the harbor. Part of the concept is to get rid of all the slips less than 28' long making room for larger boats. All this is in an effort to make more revenue for the county.

What I don't understand is the fact that the harbor is 'county owned' and there is no effort to make it mandatory for the boats in the harbor to be Coast Guard compliant. Make all boats in the harbor get to a certification dock under their own power and have an inspection. Once the inspection is completed they're good for another year. If they fail inspection there's a surcharge on the slip rent. Perhaps something like 30% until it's resolved. That would make them the money they desire.

There are so many boats taking up space in the harbor that are unfit to go to sea it's ridiculous. (I pass one that has lawn chairs in the cockpit and no sails or boom. It hasn't moved in years.) If the CG can board and issue you a citation if you leave the slip then you should receive one for just being there. A surcharge until compliant would make more revenue for the county and guarantee that the boats in the harbor are being maintained to a minimum of CG compliance.

Perhaps I'm just angry because I was on a wait list for 8 years and never got a slip while I watched derelict boats hanging out with no one ever using them, but it's prime real estate derelict boats shouldn't be allowed in the harbor taking up space.

When someone brings up the idea of making CG compliant boats mandatory it gets thrown out and doesn't want to be discussed by those in charge of harbor management. I just don't understand.