Chapter 48.16 GLORIETTA BAY

A. “Designated anchorage areas” means the areas as set forth by a map prepared by the Port Director and approved by resolution of the City Council and which shall designate every mooring, pier, float, wharf, dock or landing within such area and the shoreline thereof, together with the approaches thereto.

B. “Float” means and includes wharf, pier, quay or landing and/or fixed structure.

C. “Mooring” means any weight, chain, rope, float structure and/or appliance used by a vessel for anchoring purposes, and which is not carried aboard such vessel as part of the regular equipment.

D. “Vessel” and “craft” mean and include ships of all types, canal boats, barges, landing barges, sailing vessels, motorboats, and every structure adapted to be navigated from place to place for the transportation of property and persons by any means.

48.16.020 Stray, abandoned or derelict vessels.

All stray, abandoned or derelict vessels, skiffs, rowboats, dinghies, timber or other articles found within the designated anchorage areas, not in the lawful possession or control of some person, shall be immediately delivered to and/or taken in charge by the Port Director in whose custody they shall remain until claimed by the proper owners. The owners shall pay all expenses incurred by the Port Director in connection therewith, including a charge for keeping and storing the same; and if the vessels, timbers, or other articles are not claimed within 30 days and the charges paid as herein provided for, the Port Director may proceed to sell such property and the proceeds of such sale shall be paid into the City Treasury.

48.16.030 Sunken or grounded craft.

In case of any vessel, boat, watercraft, raft or other obstruction sinking or grounding or being unnecessarily delayed in Glorietta Bay and other portions of San Diego Bay within the City limits in such manner as to stop, interfere with or, in the opinion of the Port Director, endanger navigation or otherwise unnecessarily obstruct the waters or tideland approaches thereto, the Port Director shall have the right to take immediate possession of such vessel, boat, watercraft, raft or other obstruction so far as to remove it, and to immediately clear the harbor or tideland approaches thereto of the obstruction, using his best judgment to prevent any unnecessary damage to such craft or obstruction aforesaid, and no one shall interfere with or prevent such removal.

48.16.040 Removal of obstructing craft.

Any sunken or abandoned vessels, boats, watercraft, rafts, wharves, buildings or other obstructions shall be subject to be removed, destroyed, sold or otherwise disposed of by the Port Director by direction of the City Council and at the expense to the owner or owners, or the City Council may, in its discretion, direct the Port Director to give notice in writing to the owner or owners of any such craft or obstruction, requiring them to remove it; provided, that the expense of removing any such craft or obstruction as aforesaid shall be a charge against such craft and/or obstruction or contents thereof, and if the owner of the same shall fail or refuse to reimburse the City for such expenses within 30 days after notification, then the City Council shall secure bids for the removal thereof, and may sell the aforesaid craft, obstruction and/or contents, or any part thereof that may not have been destroyed in removal and the proceeds of such sale, or such amount thereof as may be necessary to reimburse the City for the expense of such removal, shall be paid to the City Treasurer.

48.16.050 Launching facilities.

It is unlawful to launch or remove from the waters of Glorietta Bay, or designated anchorage areas, any vessel except at such locations as are designated for that purpose, or at such locations as are provided with launching facilities to do such work.

48.16.060 Unsafe or dangerous mooring or anchorage.

If any vessel arriving and anchoring or being moored or fastened to any wharf in the designated anchorage areas shall be so moored or placed as to be unsafe or dangerous to any other vessel previously lying at anchor in the anchorage areas, or moored or fastened as aforesaid, the Port Director is hereby authorized to order and direct the position of the vessel to be changed. The master or other person having charge of such vessel shall forthwith cause the position of such vessel to be changed as directed by the Port Director, and upon the failure or refusal of such master or other person in charge of such vessel to change the position of the vessel, as directed by the Port Director and/or in the absence of such master or other person in an emergency, the Port Director may forthwith board such vessel with such assistance as may be necessary and change the position of such vessel, and the expense of changing the position of such vessel, or of arranging the rigging thereon, may be recovered from the master or owner of such vessel by a suit in the name of the City in any court of competent jurisdiction.

48.16.070 Obstruction of navigation.

It is unlawful to tie up or anchor a vessel in the designated anchorage areas in such a manner as to obstruct the marked channels, or to prevent or obstruct the passing of other vessels or to voluntarily or carelessly sink or allow to be sunk any vessel in any channel or berthing space, or to float loose timbers, logs or piles in any channel or berthing space, in such a manner as to obstruct, impede or injure other vessels or the navigation thereof, and whenever a vessel is sunk in the designated anchorage areas or channel, it shall be the duty of the owner or other person having the care, charge, custody or control thereof to immediately mark it with a buoy during the day and by lantern or other light by night, and to maintain such markings until the sunken vessel or obstruction is removed, and the neglect or failure of such owner or person to do so is unlawful. The owner thereof shall immediately commence the removal of the obstruction and prosecute the removal diligently to completion and any failure to do so shall constitute abandonment of such vessel. Whenever the navigation of any of the waters, including moorings and berths, within the designated anchorage areas shall be obstructed or endangered by any vessel or other obstruction, which obstruction or danger has existed for a period longer than 10 days, or whenever the abandonment of a vessel or other obstruction can be legally established in a less space of time, the vessel or other obstruction shall be subject to be removed, sold or otherwise disposed of by the Port Director as directed by law without liability for any damage to the owner of same, and at the expense of the owner, who shall pay the cost of such removal, sale or disposition.

48.16.080 Mooring limitations.

It is unlawful to make fast or tie any vessel to a mooring belonging to another vessel, or to make fast or tie to a vessel already occupying a mooring, or to anchor so close to the vessel occupying a mooring that the other vessel is endangered.

48.16.090 Speed – Reasonable or prudent.

No person shall operate a vessel, boat or other watercraft upon Glorietta Bay at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent, having due regard for other vessels, property and persons on the bay, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property.

48.16.100 Speed limit.

No person shall operate a vessel or boat or other watercraft at a speed in excess of five nautical miles per hour upon that portion of Glorietta Bay known as the Turning Basin and lying westerly of a line drawn between Stations 155 and 162 of the established United States bulkhead line; provided, however, that such speed limit shall not apply to any speedboat races, public exhibitions or regattas conducted for public entertainment and regulated pursuant to a permit issued by the Port Director.

48.16.110 Authority of Port Director.

The Port Director shall have the following authority in addition to any other authority imposed upon him by this chapter or by other local, State or Federal laws:

A. To designate the areas within which vessels of different sizes and classes shall be anchored or moored;

B. To assign anchorage or moorings to vessels within such designated areas;

C. To assign berths or landing places to vessels coming alongside of floats, wharves and piers;

D. To order any vessel improperly anchored, moored, berthed or tied up to change its position as more particularly set forth in CMC 48.16.020 and 48.16.030.

Whenever a power is granted to, or a duty is imposed upon, the Port Director, the power may be exercised or the duty may be performed by an assistant of the Port Director, or such other person as may be designated by the Port Director for the enforcement of these regulations.

48.16.120 Permit required.

It is unlawful to place, erect or construct moorings in the designated anchorage areas without a permit first having been issued by the Port Director.

48.16.130 Plans and specifications for moorings.

No permit shall be issued by the Port Director for a mooring structure until plans and specifications for the mooring have been submitted to him by the applicant showing the construction of the proposed mooring together with the location thereof, which plans and specifications shall have first been approved by the City Council.

48.16.140 Conditions of permit – Cancellation.

Any permit issued by the Port Director shall provide that the permit may be canceled at any time by the Port Director by giving five days’ written notice to the occupant.

48.16.150 Removal upon cancellation.

It shall be the duty of the owner of the mooring to immediately remove the same, and if he should fail to move the same within 30 days the mooring may be removed by the Port Director and the cost thereof shall be paid by the occupant of the mooring place, and the same may be collected in any court of competent jurisdiction.

48.16.160 Temporary use of unoccupied mooring.

The permit shall further provide that the Port Director may at his discretion permit any vessel to use an unoccupied mooring on a temporary basis for a period not to exceed one week, unless satisfactory showing is made to the Port Director in advance.

48.16.170 Loss by nonuser.

Such permit shall further provide that any mooring not used by the owner for a period of six consecutive months out of any 12 months becomes the property of the City and may be sold or removed by the Port Director after proper notice.

48.16.180 Annual inspection – Fee.

The permit shall further provide for an annual inspection of moorings and the mooring fee.

48.16.190 Adjustments.

The City reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

48.16.200 Fees.

The owner of every vessel in the designated anchorage areas having a mooring permit shall pay to the Port Director an initial permit fee, as established from time to time by resolution of the City Council, payable upon issuance of permit, and thereafter shall pay the Port Director a yearly fee as established by the resolution, such fee due and payable on January 1st of each year and shall be paid in advance.

48.16.210 Quarterly permit.

The Port Director may issue permits on a quarterly basis, but in no event shall the permit be for less than a quarter.

48.16.220 Nonpayment of fees – Loss of mooring.

The permit shall further provide that when the owner is in arrears for a period of 30 days, the Port Director may at his option take over such mooring and convert it to use by the City and further when such owner has been in arrears for a period of six months or more the title to the mooring shall revert to the City; provided, however, that at any time within the period of six months, the owner shall have the privilege of redeeming such mooring by paying the total accrued charges.

48.16.230 Documentation or registration of vessels.

The permit shall further provide that the vessel to be anchored or moored within the designated mooring areas shall be duly registered with the City.

48.16.240 Transfer of mooring.

Transfer of any mooring shall be permitted upon the payment of $1.00 transfer fee, and presentation of a bona fide bill of sale to the Port Director, and then only when the new owner of the mooring is the actual owner of the vessel to be moored.

48.16.250 Application.

Application for transfer shall state the size of vessel and type of mooring.

48.16.260 Construction – Permission.

It is unlawful to erect or construct any mooring to any area of Glorietta Bay without first obtaining permission to do so from the City Council and shall conform to the specifications set forth in CMC 48.16.270 and 48.16.280.

48.16.270 Anchors – Materials.

Anchors of all moorings shall be made of iron or steel or such other material satisfactory to the Port Director.

48.16.280 Weight – Chain.

For single or bow moorings held by dead weight, the amount of weight and size of chain shall be as follows:


Length of Boat	Weight of Mooring	Size of Chain
20 feet and under	500 pounds	1/2 inch
21 to 25 feet	650 pounds	1/2 inch
26 to 30 feet	750 pounds	1/2 inch
31 to 35 feet	1,000 pounds	5/8 inch
36 to 40 feet	1,500 pounds	5/8 inch
41 to 45 feet	2,000 pounds	5/8 inch
46 to 50 feet	2,000 pounds	5/8 inch
51 to 55 feet	2,500 pounds	3/4 inch
56 to 60 feet	3,000 pounds	3/4 inch
61 to 65 feet	3,000 pounds	1 inch
66 to 70 feet	3,500 pounds	1 inch
71 to 75 feet	4,000 pounds	1 inch
76 to 90 feet	5,000 pounds	1 inch
91 feet and over	As determined by the Port Director

In the event an approved mushroom type anchor is used, the above weights may be decreased at the discretion of the Port Director. Where bow and stern moorings are specified, the weight and size of the stern mooring may not be less than 75 percent of the above weights and sizes.

48.16.290 Buoy construction.

The buoys shall be constructed of materials satisfactory to the Port Director and shall be so constructed that the smallest allowable mooring buoy will extend out of water at least 12 inches. Plans and specifications detailing buoy construction shall first have been approved by the Port Director.

48.16.300 Buoy chains and fastenings.

All chains and fastenings shall be of sufficient size and strength as to stand a breaking strain of at least six times the weight of the mooring.

48.16.310 Buoy colors and numbering.

The mooring buoys shall be painted white or aluminum in color above the water, and there shall be painted on the buoy and be legible at all times the number allocated to the mooring by the Port Director, and the Port Director shall allocate a number to each mooring in the designated anchorage areas.

48.16.320 Buoy maintenance.

All moorings shall be kept in good and serviceable condition at all times; the painters, chains and fastenings shall be so arranged that when dropped they will immediately sink.

48.16.330 Regulation of anchorage areas.

All vessels using moorings in the designated anchorage areas shall be firmly anchored in such a manner as to prevent the vessels from swinging or turning or drifting, except in such areas as the Port Director may designate as single mooring areas.

48.16.340 Length of mooring chains.

Length of mooring chains shall be approved by the Port Director in accordance with the depth of water, length and weight of vessel, and type of mooring to be used.

48.16.350 Construction – Operation by City.

The City Council may acquire or cause to be constructed such floats, wharves, piers and other harbor facilities in the designated anchorage areas as may be required, and the City Council may rent or lease in whole or in part such floats, wharves, piers and other harbor facilities to individuals, nonprofit associations and such other organizations as it may determine. The City Council may further, by resolution, establish additional charges for the use of future floats, wharves, piers and harbor facilities that may be acquired by the City.

48.16.360 Permit.

It is unlawful to occupy any such float, wharf, pier or other harbor facility, as set forth in CMC 48.16.350, in the designated anchorage areas without a permit first having been issued by the Port Director.

48.16.370 Unlawful occupancy of floats, etc.

It is unlawful to make fast more than two vessels abreast at any float, wharf, pier or other harbor facility without first having obtained permission from the Port Director.

48.16.380 Watch – Fire equipment.

When permission has been granted to moor more than two vessels abreast, the Port Director may, at his discretion, require that a 24-hour watch be maintained and that fire extinguishing equipment be placed in such a standby position so as to be available in case of emergency.

48.16.390 Lighting facilities.

The Port Director may require any occupant of any float, wharf, pier or other harbor facility to install and maintain lighting facilities on such float, wharf, pier or other harbor facility when in the discretion of the Port Director such installation is required as a safety measure.

48.16.400 Additional regulations.

In addition to the above, the uses and regulations set forth in CMC 48.16.410 through 48.16.580 shall control Glorietta Bay.

48.16.410 Anchorage areas – Commercial vessels.

Anchorage areas are reserved generally for yachts and other recreational small craft. The City Council reserves the right to refuse docking space to anyone who operates a commercial vessel that does not meet the above requirements. In such cases, the Port Director shall recommend to the City Council that commercial craft be removed. The Port Director reserves the right to refuse docking space or rights to any commercial vessel.

48.16.420 Sale of petroleum products.

The storage, handling, keeping, use or sale of gasoline, distillate, or any liquid petroleum products on floats, wharves, piers, and other harbor facilities is prohibited except as provided for herein. Sale of the petroleum products may be made only from specific locations designated by the City Council. Sale or delivery of such products to vessels shall be by pipelines and hose, suitably equipped and provided with closed connections and valves. It is unlawful to conduct any welding or burning operations whatsoever aboard any vessel while moored in any marine service station or any other facility without permission from the Port Director.

48.16.430 Storage of gasoline.

It is unlawful for any person to keep in storage any gasoline, fuel, explosive or flammable gases whatsoever, or empty containers which previously contained such gases or products, on any float, wharf, pier or other harbor facility or aboard any vessel while tied up or at anchor. The Port Director may order the removal of such products or containers at any time in the interests of public safety.

48.16.440 Fire protection equipment.

The Port Director may require the installation of fire protection equipment at any location where in his opinion fire equipment is needed, on any float, wharves, piers or other facilities, including those under lease by yacht clubs, associations and public anchorages. It shall be the duty of the Port Director to see that all fire protection equipment is of standard make and in good workable condition at all times. Representatives of the Fire Department may inspect the fire protection equipment at any time they deem advisable.

48.16.450 Storage of fuel containers.

Empty drums, tanks, barrels or other containers used for the transportation of fuel, gasoline, distillate, kerosene or other flammable products shall not be allowed to remain on any float, wharf, pier or other harbor facility, nor shall they be left on any shoreline, roadway, or parkway.

48.16.460 Use of landing floats, piers, etc.

Floats, wharves, piers, and other harbor facilities are provided by the City for the loading and unloading of passengers, supplies, boating gear and for purposes in connection with serving the public use thereof and shall not be used for the handling of commercial cargo in any manner which is unlawful and strictly prohibited. The Port Director shall have the authority to control the use of any and all facilities and to regulate the time and manner said use for the purpose of maintaining such facilities for use by the public.

48.16.470 Obstruction of access to floats, etc.

It is unlawful for any person to obstruct the free and easy access to any float, wharf, pier, landing, bulkhead, roadway or leave any vehicle parked in any manner which will obstruct such public facilities.

48.16.480 Refuse disposal.

It is unlawful to dispose of any refuse, material, garbage, timbers, sewage or other waste matter into the waters of Glorietta Bay, and any person violating this provision shall be subject to the penalty provided hereinafter, and in addition thereto, the Port Director may remove with or without notice any vessel which may violate this section.

48.16.490 Disposal of oil, paints, etc.

It is unlawful for any vessel to discharge or dump any oil, spirits, gasoline, distillate, kerosene or other petroleum or paints, rubbish, cleanings, or any other offensive articles in the water or leave standing on any float, wharf, pier or upon any shoreline, roadway or parkway.

48.16.500 Causing fill or excavation in harbor.

It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to cause any fill or make any excavation in Glorietta Bay without permission from the Port Director. Plans and specifications for any work whatsoever shall be approved by the City Council.

48.16.510 Safety of vessels – Storm warnings.

It shall be the duty of every owner or operator or other person in charge of a vessel to apprise themselves of weather conditions and to heed storm warnings, and to take such steps as are necessary under the circumstances to ensure the safety of such vessels in the event of unusual tide and weather conditions. It shall also be the duty of every owner or person in charge of a vessel to inspect the moorings, bilges and appurtenances of such vessels at reasonable intervals to preclude hazards common to vessels and ensure seaworthiness.

48.16.520 Intoxication – Liquor.

It is unlawful for any person to operate any vessel upon the waters of Glorietta Bay while under the influence of intoxicating liquor.

48.16.530 Malicious mischief, etc.

No person shall, with intent of malicious mischief, board any vessel, yacht, or other watercraft moored, tied, or anchored in Glorietta Bay, nor shall any person board any vessel without the consent of the owner or person in charge of the vessel, yacht or watercraft. No person shall tamper with or in any way molest or interfere with the moorings or anchorage of any vessels, yachts or watercraft without the consent of the owner or person in charge of the vessel, yacht or watercraft.

48.16.540 Water skiing areas.

A. The following area is hereby designated as a water skiing area and shall be used exclusively for water skiing:

That portion of Glorietta Bay within the City limits between the following points: south of the south side of the San Diego-Coronado Bridge piers between the shoreline and Pier 14 of the Bay Bridge with a line extending from Pier 14 to the red “N2” buoy of the marked Glorietta Bay channel (coordinates 32, 41' 10"N, 117, 09' 42"W) and a line extending from the red “N2” buoy to the red “N6” buoy of the Glorietta Bay channel (coordinates 32, 40' 42"N, 117, 10' 00"W) used as the west inbound boundary of the Glorietta Bay channel and west to the shoreline with a line from the red “N6” buoy to the shoreline.

B. It shall be unlawful to anchor in the described area. However, beaching or short-term anchoring of vessels then involved in water skiing within the ski area, as close to the shoreline as practicable, is not prohibited.

C. It shall be unlawful to water ski under, through or between Bridge Piers 2 through 14. (Ord. 1667)

48.16.550 Bathing, swimming and surf boarding.

It shall be unlawful for any person to bathe, swim or use or ride a surf board or similar device in that portion of Glorietta Bay described in CMC 48.16.540(A), or in any area of the marked channel for Glorietta Bay, except:

A. When participating in a City sanctioned public exhibition or meet;

B. When swimming in a posted swim area extending 100 yards into the bay off of the shoreline of Glorietta Bay Park. However, it shall be unlawful to swim within 50 feet of the boat launching pier or within 15 feet of the Naval Amphibious Base;

C. When participating in wind surfing; or

D. When swimmers are naval personnel or other local, State or Federal employees involved in a training exercise. (Ord. 1667; Ord. 1578)

48.16.555 Glorietta Bay anchorage areas.

The following areas are designated as anchorage areas within Glorietta Bay and shall be depicted on a map approved by the City Council and maintained by the City:

A. The A-5 72-hour anchorage.

B. The area north of the north side of the San Diego Coronado Bridge piers between the shoreline and Pier 15 of the Bridge, with a line extending from Pier 15 to the shoreline utilizing the existing inbound south shipping channel lane boundary. It shall be unlawful to travel within this area at a speed exceeding five miles per hour or a speed creating a wake, whichever is less. (Ord. 1667)

48.16.560 General rules and regulations for water skiing.

A. No person shall operate any boat or ride or use any water skis, surfboards or similar device within 100 feet of another boat, canoe, paddle board, float, swimmer, fisherman, or the shoreline except when taking of or landing in prescribed areas which have been posted by the City.

B. All boats shall be operated in a counter clockwise pattern regardless of the number of boats in the harbor.

C. At the continuous sound of a siren, all boats shall beach immediately.

D. Whenever a person or a hazard object is in the water ahead of or in the vicinity of a boat, the operator of the boat shall signal such fact by extending an arm above his head.

E. The operator of all boats shall stop the motor thereof when picking up a person from the water.

F. All boats towing water skis, surfboards or similar devices shall be manned by at least two persons one of whom shall operate the boat and the other shall act as observer.

G. All towing lines shall not be longer than 75 feet.

H. No operator of a boat shall overtake or follow in the wake of another boat which is towing a waterskier, or surfboarder or person using a similar device, at a distance closer than 200 feet.

48.16.570 Miscellaneous rules.

A. No person shall willfully damage or mark any buoys or markers, or cause any watercraft to be moored thereto.

B. No person shall throw litter from a boat or watercraft.

C. No person shall jump, dive or otherwise propel themselves into the water from the Glorietta Bay sea wall, nor use any wheeled riding device upon the sea wall.

D. No person shall operate a boat or watercraft without the consent of the owner thereof. (Ord. 1719)

48.16.580 Penalty for violation.

Any person who violates any provision of this chapter or who fails to comply with any regulation adopted pursuant to this chapter shall be guilty of an infraction. (Ord. 1400)

For statutory provisions authorizing cities to regulate all matters related to watercraft within their jurisdiction, see Harbors and Nav. Code Section 660. For provisions related to watercraft, see the Harbors and Nav. Code Section 650 et seq. For provisions concerning the San Diego Unified Port District, see Harbors and Nav. Code Appendix 1.