Santa Cruz Port District
Newsletter - January 2021
Announcements
Parking Sticker Distribution Delayed
In an effort to limit public interaction to slow the transmission of COVID-19, the Port District will delay the issuance of 2021 parking stickers until March 2021.

Parking stickers are typically made available in January of each year, but a delay in distribution is necessary to reduce the high volume of customer contacts associated with sticker distribution and to comply with the State of California’s regional “stay at home” order, which became effective December 17, 2020.

Your current 2020 parking sticker will remain valid until March 31, 2021.

Notification regarding parking sticker availability and pick-up procedures 
will be provided in early-March.
2021 Waiting List Renewals
2021 waiting list renewal fees will appear on your January statement. To avoid late fees, payments must be received by February 20, 2021. A courtesy reminder will be sent to all individuals who have unpaid balances in mid-February.

If you have any questions regarding your placement on the waiting list, please contact the harbor office at (831) 475-6161.
Crab Season
Commercial Dungeness crab season officially opened on December 23, 2020. However, a majority of the fleet is waiting until a market is established before they set their pots, so little, if any crab, is currently available to consumers. 

Call H&H Fresh Fish at (831) 462-FISH (3474) for local crab availability updates.
Bay Area Region Stay-at-Home Order
To prevent the spread of COVID-19, and in accordance with all Orders issued by the County of Santa Cruz Health Officer and new regional guidelines established by the State of California, a regional “stay-at-home” order became effective at 11:59 PM on Thursday, December 17, 2020. Accordingly, the Port District has implemented the following measures for a three-week period, unless otherwise extended or modified.

The harbor office is open on a modified basis for the purposes of conducting essential business only. The following business has been designated as essential:

  • Executing a Slip License Agreement
  • Registering for Visitor Berthing
  • Resolving Electronic Key Fob Issues
  • Purchasing an Annual Launch Ramp Pass
  • Making a Cash Payment

For all other business-related inquiries, please click here for a directory of helpful forms and contact information. If you have a question or concern that needs prompt attention, please email scpd@santacruzharbor.org.
Point Santa Cruz Buoy Station
The Coastal Data Information Program (CDIP) at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography has deployed a new wave monitoring buoy approximately 1 mile south of Point Santa Cruz. Click here to download the flyer.

The Point Santa Cruz buoy measures wave height, direction, and period, as well as sea surface currents, sea surface temperature, and air temperature. Data is broadcast on NWS Marine Weather Channel and updated every 30 minutes on the CDIP website.

This station is primarily funded by California State Parks Natural Resources Division, with additional support from the US Army Corps of Engineers. The primary goal for this station is to measure waves near the coast to better inform local coastal inundation studies.
ATTENTION BOATERS:

During night hours, the buoy will emit a yellow color Coast Guard compliant flashing light. 

CDIP buoys are surface followers that maintain position by use of an elastic mooring system. They are adversely affected if vessels strike them or attempt to tie up. 

Please maintain an adequate safe distance from the buoy to avoid collision with it or its submerged mooring system.
2020-21 Dredging Operations
Entrance Channel Dredging Update
Despite recent large surge events which brought large amounts of sand into the harbor entrance, the dredge crew has been able to maintain navigable depths in the channel. To view the most recent sounding, please click here.

During dredging operations, pass Twin Lakes on the east side (Crow's Nest side) of the channel unless otherwise marked. Stay at least 50' from the dredge. When dredging is underway, contact the crew for passing instructions on VHF channel 8.
Pictured above the District's workboat Dauntless