8 • Aug. 29 - Sept. 11, 2014 • The Log
thelog.com Should Newport Harbor allow jet packs?
A special ad hoc committee is tackling the topic of whether or not jetpack operators – both private and commercial – should be allowed to operate in Newport Harbor. Residents have complained about noise and safety concerns tied to the operation.
An ad hoc committee debates whether to keep businesses from operating in the bay.
By Ambrosia Brody
NEWPORT BEACH — Lido Isle resi- dents and other bayfront homeowners attended the second meeting of the Water Propelled Vessels Ad Hoc Committee, Aug. 20, in an effort to voice their concerns of safety and noise caused by the unique activity. The committee, chaired by Harbor
Commissioner Joe Stapleton along with Harbor Commissioners William Kenney and Duncan McIntosh, was formed in July after the City Council implemented a six-month ban on issu- ing new Marine Activities Permits to jetpack businesses looking to operate in Newport Harbor. “The cost of equipment is getting
more affordable and I certainly can envision a time when some private owners have 20 to 30 of these flying around the harbor,” Stapleton said. “I think we are trying to get ahead before it becomes an issue.”
Many comments and questions
were directed to Jetpack America owner Dean O’Malley, who currently operates the only jetpack and hover- craft type business in the harbor. His permit expires in 2015. “We want to make it work,”
O’Malley said. “We are in business to be in business but we also want to be part of the community and showcase Newport Beach.” Noise and safety were the main issues of concern raised by residents at the meeting. So far, O’Malley has taken measures
to try and dampen the sound by lining the inside of the pod with noise damp- ening foam, replacing jetpack nozzles and operating around the bay rather than staying in one permanent loca- tion. “We will continue to do additional tests to figure out what will work and what might not be as effective,” he said. “We are working to try and move in the right direction.” He proposed permanently operating
between 15th and 17th streets, which is part of the Marina Park project. Although there are not any homes on
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the site, there will be offices, boat slips and an open park. Some residents say the location is still too close to harbor side homes. George Farah, a
resident on the bayfront, empha- sized how noise from the operations constantly drills on his nerves, leading to feeling stressed and fed up with the company operating just a few blocks away from his house. “I question why do you have to be
anywhere?” he asked. “It’s now a physi- cal stress that is beyond our control and ideally we don’t want it here.” Jetpacks offer riders a chance to be
propelled off the water’s surface after being suited in a shoulder harness that resembles a jetpack. Users learn how to steer the device, which sends riders skyward using a water-pumping hose. O’Malley has operated in several places in the bay in an effort to “spread the noise” rather than contain it to one neighborhood. Unfortunately, there doesn’t appear to be a place in the harbor where a company or resident won’t be affected by the sound. “If you want to minimize the noise to neighbors and businesses then they will have to be at different locations and there are not that many locations where they can operate,” said Judy Cole, a resident on the bayfront. Harbor Commissioners explained they will discuss whether to allow or not allow more operators in the harbor at the next meeting. “I don’t believe the harbor is large enough to allow a large number of operations,” Kenney said. The company is allowed to operate in non-federal channels, between 18th Street and the mooring field, the turn-
ing basin by Lido Island, the anchorage and off the Rhine Channel. Fly Jet Sports President and CEO
Gus Caicedo was also present at the meeting as he is attempting to be per- mitted to run his operation in the har- bor. He currently operates off the beach in the open ocean. As residents and commissioners discussed that there does not appear to be a “best spot” for the company to operate, Harbor Commissioner Stapleton questioned whether a tour model can be put into place. “There are some benefits and draw- backs but if that’s where we end up then we can definitely make it work,” O’Malley said. At the next meeting scheduled for
Sept. 3, the committee will discuss pro- hibiting private users; if the city should allow more commercial operators to operate in the harbor along with how many and rules, and discuss potential locations. ‘Every single one of these issues gets
bigger if you allow one more or two more of these operations,” Cole said. “It seems like the higher question is whether or not it’s an activity that should be allowed and can there be enough guidelines so that it can oper- ate and coexist with the rest of the users in the harbor and operate safe- ly?”
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