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Harbor News & Updates

July 2022

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Harbor Dredge Worker

Santa Cruz Harbor is seeking a full-time employee to assist with dredging operations and off-season equipment maintenance.


Position: Harbor Dredge Worker

Type: Regular, full-time

Salary Range: $3,797 to $6,819 per month* 

Application Deadline: July 8, 2022


*Monthly salary depends on qualifications.


The complete job description and application materials are available on the District's website.

Apply Now!

Project Corner

West Side Seawall Replacement Project

The section of west side seawall that extends from A-Dock to FF-Dock was constructed in 1963, and remains original to the harbor. The Santa Cruz Port Commission recently awarded a contract to local engineering firm, Mesiti-Miller Engineering, Inc., for a preliminary engineering assessment to determine the current condition of the seawall and help develop costs estimates to assist with long-range planning for repair and/or replacement.

Pile Repair & Replacement Project

Phase 4 of the Port District's Pile Repair and Replacement Project is set to commence in the coming weeks. Work as part of this project will include repair of four critical piles in the south harbor (1 at P-Dock and 3 at the East Side Public Pier). Work will be performed by Port District maintenance crews. Minimal impacts are anticipated.


Since 2018, as part of the the Port District's ongoing pile repair and replacement efforts, 156 piles have been replaced throughout the harbor at a cost of approximately $2.5 million. Future phases of work will be planned to ensure that this critical harbor infrastructure remains maintained.

Murray Street Bridge Project

The City of Santa Cruz recently announced its revised timeline for the Murray Street Bridge Seismic Retrofit Project. The project, which is currently awaiting final certification for right-of-way and issuance of regulatory permits, has been delayed to begin no earlier than Spring 2023. For more information on this project please visit the City's Public Works webpage.

4th of July Holiday


The Fourth of July holiday is expected to draw large crowds to the harbor and nearby beaches, impacting parking and traffic within the area. Road closures are not planned, so vehicle access to the harbor will not be restricted. Fireworks are strictly prohibited. Checkpoints will be established along beach access point areas.


We hope that everyone enjoys a safe and fun 4th of July!

Save Our Shores

Join Save Our Shores on July 4, 2022, to help create cleaner, safer, more beautiful beaches by distributing trash and recycling bags to the public and encouraging them to take their trash home after their fun day at the beach.


On July 5, 2022, the Star Spangled Beach Cleanup will take place to help stop thousands of pounds of trash and debris from entering the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary after the holiday weekend.

Read More

Upcoming Meeting

Slip renters and members of the public are encouraged to stay informed of harbor happenings by attending the regular Port Commission meetings, held on the fourth Tuesday of each month.


The next regular public session is scheduled for Tuesday, July 26, 2022, at 7:00 pm.

Meeting Information

Day on the Bay Regatta

Calling all sailors! The 30th Annual Day on the Bay Regatta is on Sunday, July 31, 2022. The Santa Cruz Yacht Club hosts this fun event each year to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Santa Cruz County.


The event will be held at the Santa Cruz Yacht Club's dry storage area on the west side of Santa Cruz Harbor (near Aldo's). Sailing takes place from 11:30-3:00 PM, followed by dinner, music, and a silent auction. Please visit BBBS event page for more information and to purchase your raffle tickets!

Register Here!

Bait Fish

It’s that time of year again, and bait fish abound in the nearshore area. You may have noticed the large flocks of seabirds feeding on the fish in areas that are uncomfortably close to the harbor.


Some schools of fish have been observed in the harbor. Staff is performing regular checks and dissolved oxygen levels remain good; however, aerators are in place in the event oxygen levels dip to dangerously low levels, signifying the onset of a fish die-off.


We wanted to remind boaters and liveaboards to notify staff if they observe the warning signs of an imminent fish kill:


  • Large concentrations of fish inside the harbor (i.e., fathometer shows that half or more of the harbor depth has fish);
  • Large concentrations of fish near the harbor entrance (i.e., one-half mile in width are at the harbor entrance in the evening)
  • Fish under stress, observed jumping in a large area.


If you observe any of the above situations, please contact the harbor:


  • Daily, 9 am to 5 pm: Call the harbor office at (831) 475-6161
  • After hours: Call Santa Cruz Police Dispatch at (831) 471-1131
  • Marine radio: VHF Channel 9 is monitored 24 hours/day

Pump It! Don't Dump It!

Pumpout is located at the Santa Cruz Harbor Fuel Dock, click here to view the lists of Northern California pumpout stations.

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Port Commission Meeting Information

Fuel Prices & Information

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