New sea base worth the money

MIKE WHITEHEAD

Ahoy.

When you drive along Mariner’s Mile, do you notice anything

different at 1931 W. Coast Highway? 1931 is the address of the

Newport sea base that is finishing a major renovation to the tune of

approximately $6 million. I am very impressed with the final

appearances of this property and how well the area is improved from

the old to the new sea base.

I must confess that I am a member of the sea base committee and

that I have seen this dream turn into reality. The new base now

includes additional classrooms, a library, amphitheater, conference

room, crew center, picnic area, equipment room and office.

The Orange County Council of the Boy Scouts of America manages the

base, but the Newport sea base is a coed youth aquatic center that is

open to everyone. Many of you know of the 1905 topsail ketch named

the Argus that calls the base its home, and the recent addition of

the topsail schooner the Lynx. The base is also home to six Sea Scout

ships and you will be seeing sailing teams this summer.

Tens of thousands of participants have visited the sea base since

opening in 1937. It offers year-round activities in oceanography,

marine biology, environmental science, boating safety, sailing,

canoeing, kayaking, power boating and much more. Chapman University’s

crew program is now housed in its new two-story rowing center that’s

a joint effort between the sea base and Chapman.

Another positive upshot of the renovation is that the sea base is

now hiring boys and girls who are 16 or older for summer jobs,

including teaching sailing, crewing on the Argus and being camp

counselors.

The christening of the Newport sea base will be from 9 a.m. to 4

p.m. on Saturday, April 17, with the dedication ceremony at 12:30

p.m. The Harbor Patrol fireboats will be at the base as well as the

Newport Beach Fire Department’s mobile barbecue with gourmet grub.

You can contact Jennifer Keating at (714) 546-8558, ext. 136, for

more information on the dedication and to RSVP. The sea base’s

website is https://www.seabase.org.

TIP OF THE WEEK

I have been invited as the guest speaker for this month’s Speak Up

Newport meeting on the evening of April 14. Those of you who have

heard me speak before know that I can talk endlessly promoting

boating and sharing my adventures cruising the Pacific Coast. I will

throw in a couple of adventures, but my main topic -- an important

one to all of us -- is the state of boating, and the value of boating

to the Newport Harbor area.

I promise not to be cut and dry like an economist who just states

facts, putting the room to sleep. I will talk about how boating,

Newport Harbor and nautical activities affect all our lives in this

area, either directly or indirectly.

Additionally, I hope to have enough time to tell you about four

boating events in April. The first event, also on April 14, is the

first day of the Newport Show at Lido Village -- the largest boat

show west of the Miami show. Then the Marine Committee of the Newport

Beach Chamber of Commerce is hosting an evening marine get together

at Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club on April 21. Also the same week, the

Southern California Marine Assn. 2004 Boat Show starts at the Dunes.

Then, the christening of the Newport sea base and the Tommy Bahamas

International Newport to Ensenada Race will also be this month.

So, I am giving you an advanced notice to attend Speak Up Newport

at 6 p.m. April 14 at the Newport Beach Yacht Club on Bayside Drive

next to the Balboa Island Bridge.

Tune in to my “Boathouse Radio Show” this and every Sunday from 4

to 5 p.m. on KCBQ-AM (1170), or listen over the Internet at

https://www.boathouse

radio.com.

You can call in to the toll-free listener line at (888) 344-1170

and join in on Southern California’s only boating talk radio show,

broadcasting along the coast from San Diego to Oxnard and out to

Santa Catalina Island.

Safe Voyages.

* MIKE WHITEHEAD is the Pilot’s boating and harbor columnist. Send

him your harbor and marine-related thoughts and story suggestions by

e-mail to [email protected] or visit https://www.boathouse tv.com.