L.A. port board restricts waterway access for recreational vessels

L.A. port board restricts waterway access for recreational vessels Recreational boaters wishing to move around the Port of Los Angeles waterways will now have now have to request clearance before doing so.
   The Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners Thursday approved adding Controlled Navigation Areas to the port tariff, essentially restricting entry of recreational boats into certain areas of the port without a port police-issued permit. The board said the creation of the CNAs is aimed at 'ensuring navigational safety of large commercial vessels by reducing non-essential boating traffic while increasing waterside security by limiting access to commercial or permitted vessels.'
   Under the new rules the port's main channel and other primary waterways will remain open to recreational boaters, but certain areas defined by the port as 'best kept for commercial-only vessels' will be restricted. The new regulations will be phased in by the port over the next six months. During the phase-in period, the port will conduct an outreach campaign to educate recreational boaters on the new CNAs.
   At least 4,500 recreational vessels docked at 15 public marinas share waterways with the port. Currently recreational vehicles are free to operate in all waterways of the port, even those with no recreational craft facilities.