As we previously reported, the City of Sausalito gave notice in December that they might withdraw from the Richardson Bay Regional Agency effective July 1. The City expressed concern about the agency’s effectiveness in removing marine debris, navigational hazards, and unsafe occupied vessels. As we expected, they have now followed through.
On June 20, the City Council approved a plan to hire two new Police Department employees: a part-time Marine Patrol Officer and a part-time civilian Harbor Assistant. Both employees will work approximately twenty hours per week.
According to an article in the city newsletter, Sausalito Currents, these new hires are part of a broader management plan for the Sausalito waterfront with these priorities:
- Remove marine debris vessels from Sausalito waters
- Remove unoccupied vessels used as storage
- Issue citations to unregistered vessels and remove vessels from Sausalito waters when registration is expired by more than one year
- Address the issue of individuals living on vessels who are a danger to themselves or others due to their lack of nautical skill, the condition of their vessel, or the state of their mental or physical health; work with other agencies and groups to assist in getting these individuals and their vessels off the water
The Marine Patrol Officer will patrol a regular beat via boat and enforce the laws, codes, and ordinances that apply to the Sausalito waterfront and anchorage. The Harbor Assistant will assist the Marine Patrol Officer, writing reports, managing grant applications, and tracking vessels entering and leaving Sausalito waters.
Read the staff report on the Waterfront Management Plan.
For more information about the management plan for the Sausalito waterfront, please contact Lt. Bill Fraass at (415) 289-4170 or bfraass@ci.sausalito.ca.us.
We are unsure what this will mean for the future of the RBRA, but in the meantime the Sausalito Chief of Police reports that the various jurisdictions have divided up the bay and the tasks to be accomplished in an effort to be more effective. Sausalito has also hired one part-time marine patrol officer and a harbor assistant.