Bad night last night! All anchored nice and secure at designated spot of the chart for San Pedro. In the bunk asleep at midnight, when the Harbor Patrol came banging on my boat. I get up in my skivvies to see what the fuck they want. Can't anchor there! Why not? Bad whether only. Why? it is designed as an anchorage on the Chart. Need a permit. Well? We can write you a permit if you like? Oh! By all means. Please do! Errr, the coastal Pilot says you need a permit to anchor more than 10 days. The Port of LA has changed it to any time. And apparently they do not care what the Noaa Charts say or the Coastal Pilot. After nearly an hour standing about in my skivvies, in the fog, I get to go back to bed, all pissed off.
A 5" 25 might be a tad heavy for the MarAzul. BrianWA says I need an M60. Actually the cops themselves were decent dudes, one ex Navy gunners-mate. When they wanted ID, I handed them a VA ID card as I have my everyday wallet with the DMV ID saved away where I wont lose it. Anyway, he rolled his eyes when I handed him this along with the US vessel documentation. Like why we fucking with this guy? Then other asked, Do you have a fire extinguisher? Yes, and I also have a US Coast Guard satisfactory inspection receipt. Want to see It? The Gunner pipes up, No Sir We believe you! Then the other insists I get my drivers license out. Don't know where it is right off, I said. Then I handed him a US Passport. Don't you have a drivers license? Do I need one to drive a boat? mummifk! Then Gunner pipes up with, No you do not need a drivers license. Then I ask the slow cop, Do you need ID here to vote? A clear, "No" was the response. So you need no ID to Vote, but you need it to anchor in the designated area? He handed me my permit and the Gunner bid me good night as the slow cop wound up the tripple 250hp outboards.
This is where you and I differ greatly barf. Standing out on Deck in your skivvies, talking with cops about shit where they do not know the rule or the law, is far from privilege. It actually is intended to make life hard for those MF's with a Yacht (white or not) . The cops did not set this policy, the Port of LA did.
MarAzul is heading back to Channel Is harbor so the crew can go home to Oregon. But resting for the evening in Paradise Cove off Malibu. Rolling gently on the hook for the night, hoping for soft winds.
Entering Channel Islands Harbor now, Anacapa Island of the Channel Island National Park off the port beam. In the mist, will try an post a good shot of this some day if the opportunity arises. I can remember some quality times anchored there, feasting on Abalone. Now days, that will probably get you some, not so quality jail time. I am told it cost around $125 per pound today. I suppose those days are history.
I have been sprucing up the MarAzul a bit here lately, Redid the Stern and her name plates today. Not bad art work for an Ancient Mariner! I think it will do.
