6 • Aug. 29 - Sept. 11, 2014 • The Log
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Ships vs. whales dilemma seems to no longer be a problem in Santa Barbara
With the launch of a new voluntary program that asks cargo ship captains to slow down ship speeds in busy ports and ship lanes, it appears the concern that whales will continue to be struck and killed by boats is on the decrease as shipping companies sign on to the program. “It’s a very simple but clever solution: When you slow ships
down you provide whale conservation and cleaner air for us to breathe here on shore,” said Kristi Birney, marine conservation analyst for the Santa Barbara-based Environmental Defense Center, one of the backers of the initiative. According to the initiative, shipping firms that sign-on to par- ticipate in the program will be paid a $2,500 incentive for each low-speed trip they complete through the Santa Barbara Channel.
A total of 16 low-speed trips through the channel from July See COMMENTARY page 21
What’s Your Beef? Do you have an opinion on anything you’ve seen in The Logor about an issue affecting Southern California boaters? Reader editorials are subject to editing and should not be more than 600 words. Submissions should be emailed to
ambrosia@thelog.com or sent to The LogEditor, 17782 Cowan, Suite C, Irvine, CA 92614. Please include your name, city of residence, phone number and/or email address (for verification purposes only).
Too much talk about copper
Editor: What is the deal with all this
copper talk? It seems as if county and water board offi- cials are getting caught up in an non-issue. There have been many, many water quality studies that show the numbers they have are misconstrued and completely off. How is it fair for officials to demand boaters switch to non-copper based hull paints – costing us
That’s Some Name — Plan B
The Log reporter snapped a photo of this boat name while walking the decks of a Long Beach marina.
Insurance rejected my claim, now what? By David Weil, Esq. Q
I recently opened a bit of a hornet’s nest while investigating an elu-
sive water leak on my power boat. It turns out that the fresh water tank had been leaking for an extended time - perhaps for a period of several years. The water eventually made its way into the core material of the fiberglass stringers under the tank, and I am facing some major structural repairs. I sub- mitted a claim to my insur- ance company under the theo- ry that the concealed leak amounted to a latent defect, which is covered under my pol- icy. The claim was denied because the leak was not “for- tuitous,” but the letter from the
an arm and a leg! – based on this skewed numbers? The answer is right there:
it’s not! Boat owners need to get involved in the movement to ensure water board and water quality officials are basing their “findings” and “requests” on sound numbers and results.
Tim Carlsbad Los Angeles County
insurance company did not really explain what that means. Can you help?
A
Our reader was hoping to be paid under the “latent defect” provi-
sions of his insurance policy, so perhaps we should start with a discussion of that type of coverage and how the dam- age to his boat fits under that coverage.
A latent defect is a defect that could not have been dis- covered by someone of com- petent skill using ordinary means. Most insurance poli- cies cover the damage that may be caused by a latent defect, though the defective part itself will not be covered. To be characterized as a latent defect, the boat owner must
to mind when thinking about how counties can ensure beaches receive much needed sand. Perhaps county leaders should set aside a budget for dredging so that they don’t have to scramble when beach- es begin to erode. There always seems to be plenty of
establish that he or she per- forms regular maintenance on the boat, including a careful inspection of the boat’s sys- tems, valves, bilge spaces and other important areas of the boat that may lead to a loss, but the problem could not be discovered even with these regular inspections. On the surface, our reader’s case may fit within the defini- tion of a latent defect. He inspected the area on a regu- lar basis but was unable to determine the source of the water. This is actually more common than you may think. Boats live in a maritime envi- ronment and they are subject to all kinds of gremlins that may allow water to find its way aboard. But those grem-
See ATTORNEY page 18
funds for large projects that don’t have to do with water- ways and beaches, which are used by residents and visitors alike. Why is it so difficult to make dredging a priority? Just make it a priority already.
Krista Sears Oceanside
On Board With Johnson by J.R. Johnson
Dredging is
a must Editor:
After reading the article in the Aug. 15-28 edition of The Log (“Sand Replenishment an ongoing effort in SoCal har- bors”) several thoughts came
Does your custom boat name show your love for boating? Send The Log a picture, and let us share it. Email your photo, contact information and a short caption to
ambrosia@thelog.com or send it to The Log Editor, 17782 Cowan, Ste. C, Irvine, CA 92614.
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