Maritime

Lease Granted to San Diego Mooring Company for Mega Yacht Mooring on San Diego Bay

Contact: Marguerite Elicone (619) 686-6222

The mega yacht industry is big business and San Diego Bay will soon have a spot for the luxurious vessels to dock. At the July 1 Board of Port Commissioners meeting, the Board granted a two-year lease with San Diego Mooring Company, LLC, to manage a Mediterranean mooring operation.

Mediterranean mooring is defined as a vessel docking perpendicular to the pier as opposed to beside it. It is commonly used in European harbors for large yachts. The Port of San Diego voted in June 2007 to explore the possibility of providing a specialized mooring service on San Diego Bay to attract more mega yachts to San Diego. Mega yachts are generally over 100 feet in length.

Port Board Opposes Proposed Ballot Initiative

Contact: John Gilmore (619) 686-7206, Irene McCormack (619) 686-6222

The Board of Port Commissioners has voted unanimously to oppose a proposed ballot initiative that seeks to amend the San Diego Unified Port District's master plan to allow hotels, restaurants and possibly a sports stadium at the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal cargo facility. The Board unanimously agreed that the initiative threatens the viability of the terminal by allowing non-maritime uses.

"I'm one thousand percent opposed to this initiative," Commissioner Stephen Cushman said.

The Board, along with its outside legal counsel, questioned the legality of the initiative while raising a concern that the proposed changes could compromise security at the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal.

Port of San Diego Welcomes New Cruise Business with Royal Caribbean International

Contact: Marguerite Elicone (619) 686-6222

The 2009-10 cruise season promises to be a busy one with the addition of cruises from Royal Caribbean International. The cruise line announced last week that it will begin offering seasonal four and five-day cruises to the Mexican Riviera onboard the vessel Radiance of the Seas beginning in September 2009. In addition, cruise travelers will be able to sail on the Radiance of the Seas from San Diego to Valparaiso, Chile, in December 2009.

Media Invited for Tour of San Diego Bay’s Working Waterfront for Discussions of Maritime Preservation and Proposed Ballot Initiative

Contact: John Gilmore (619) 686-6222 or (619) 341-5684

WHAT: The Port of San Diego's commissioners say a proposed ballot measure, which purports to protect maritime and industrial uses at the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal, threatens the viability of the terminal while disrupting waterfront businesses and industry, including several ship yards and ship repair operations within Port jurisdiction. The initiative would allow hotels, restaurants and a sports stadium at the marine terminal.

Business at Port’s Marine Terminals Shows no Signs of Slowing Down

Comments from Port Chair Michael Bixler

Recently we’ve been reading in the newspapers and watching on the local television news about an idea to double deck the Port of San Diego’s Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal so that it could be used for multiple functions. Those supporting the idea believe that the terminal could host a sporting event for the public while the Port conducts its normal maritime activity. There’s a misconception floating around that the Port’s maritime activity is experiencing a lull and that the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal could be put to better use.