Category Archives: Harbor Patrol Blotter

Vol. 9, No. 10 – February 17 – March 2, 2016 – Harbor Patrol Blotter

1-31 10:05am, officers observed severe weather beginning: rain, strong gusty south winds and rough seas. 
  1:07pm, officers received reports of trees down on Spinnaker Drive near the village and a glass door shattered from the strong winds.  The trees were not blocking traffic or a danger to the public.

4:45pm, received several different reports of damage from the wind.  Ventura West marina sustained cleat damage to end tie docks.  Ventura Isle marina sustained dock damage as well.  
2-1 11:30am, received a report of a light pole downed on Spinnaker.  It was probably compromised in the wind storm.  SEC was contacted and responded to investigate the report.
2-3 4:13am, received a dispatch to a medical at Ventura marina mobile home park.  The unconscious patient was assisted by patrol, Ventura fire and AMR.

10:56pm, received a report of a missing diver near Harbor breakwall from U.S. coast guard.  Officers responded in the fireboat and the missing diver contacted via landline and advised he was ok but lost his kayak.  Officers were able to find the kayak outside the breakwall and return it to the owner.
2-4 7:00am, Officers escorted Manson construction company towing the Freya Crane and dredge pipe into the Harbor to clear the closed harbor entrance.
2-5 5:30pm, received a report of a diesel spill near VHV D-dock.  Officers investigated but were unable to locate a source for the small spill.
2-6 7:30am, officers escorted the Manson Dredge, H.R. Morris into the harbor for yearly dredging and to clear the closed entrance of shoaling.

6:50pm, officers assisted Ventura fire and AMR with a seizure patient near Milano’s restaurant.  The patient was transported to local hospital.
2-7 11:25am, officers conducting traffic control at the Harbor entrance for multiple Manson dredge vessel’s and equipment.

12:43pm, received a dispatch to a fall patient near the Hat shop in the village.  Officers responded and assisted City fire and AMR.  A 76 year old female fainted and fell.  She was released at the scene.

9:05pm, received a report of flare sighting near Surfers Knoll.  Officers responded by truck and vessel and determined that someone was lighting fireworks near the Santa Clara River mouth.

 

Vol. 9, No. 9 – February 3 – February 16, 2016 – Harbor Patrol Blotter

1-17 5:18pm, officers escorted the fishing vessel “SeaHawk” into the harbor.  Significant shoaling at the entrance and large Northwest swells have combined to create a precarious navigation problem at the Harbor Entrance.
1-18 1:11pm, received a dispatch to a 48 year old man down at Harbor Blvd and Beachmont.  Officers responded and assisted with medical treatment.

3:05pm, officers were assisting a 75ft fishing vessel navigate the shoals in the Harbor entrance.  The vessel failed to follow instructions and went aground.  The fishing vessel was eventually able to get off the shoal unassisted.

4:00pm – 4:00am, officers monitored and escorted inbound and outbound vessels due to extremely hazardous conditions at the Harbor entrance due to shoaling and large waves.
1-19 7:00am-4:00pm, officers begin escorting multiple vessels through the narrow entrance channel.  All inbound and outbound vessels are required escort from Harbor Patrol due to the shoaling and large swells.

12:26pm, received a dispatch to a fall victim at the marina mobile home park.  Officers responded and assisted a female who fell.  The patient was lifted from the ground and sustained no injuries from the fall.

1:09pm, received a report of a capsized vessel in the shoaling area of the entrance, all three persons on board are in the water.  Officers responded, pulled the victims out of the water, righted the vessel and towed it to its slip.  The vessel was a tender for the Hawaiian Chieftain, a tall ship in the Harbor.

5:25pm, received a dispatch to a water rescue near the Ventura pier.  Officers responded to a surfer in distress, who was located safely on the beach.
1-20 4am-4am, officer’s escorted approximately 20 vessels in and out of the Harbor due to extremely hazardous conditions.
1-21 4am-4am, officers escorted vessels in and out of the Harbor, dangerous shoals.

12:00pm, U.S. coast guard placing shoal, #5 Aton buoys in the harbor entrance due to the extreme shoaling and narrow channel.  Also placing lights on the temporary buoys to aid in navigation.  
1-22 11:05am, observed the #5 Aton buoy set by the coast guard yesterday washed into South beach due to very large surf and strong currents in the Harbor Entrance. Officers retrieved it, towed it up the beach and out of harm’s way.

12:30pm, officers beginning a series of dangerous escorts through the Harbor entrance.  The waves have picked up significantly throughout the day and the entrance is nearly impassable.

6:45pm, U.S. coast guard Captain of the Port, per request of the Ventura Harbor Master closed the Ventura Harbor entrance for Hazardous conditions.

11:27pm, received a report of multiple flares spotted off Ventura Harbor.  After a brief investigation, it was determined to be several Chinese lanterns.
 1-23 9:25pm, received a dispatch to an unconscious person at the Comedy Club.  Officers responded and assisted a 72 year old female who was transported to local hospital for further evaluation.

 

Vol. 9, No. 8 – January 20 – February 2, 2016 – Harbor Patrol Blotter

  1-03 7:25pm, received a report from the National Weather Service issuing a High Surf Advisory forecast for Thursday.   
  1-05  9:35am, received a dispatch to a medical alarm in the marina mobile home park.  Officers were cancelled in route to the call.

1:30pm, received a request for assistance from Ventura PD.  Officers assisted with securing a scene in the keys.
  1-06 9:40am, received a report of a large vessel in danger of going adrift in the keys.  Officers responded and towed the vessel back to its dock in the keys.  Most of the dock cleats were pulled out by the large vessel in a sudden wind storm.  The lines had to be secured to the dock pilings.

9:55am, while securing the large vessel in the keys, observed a massive amount of flood water and debris flowing out of the Arundel Baranca in the keys.  Officers had to wait half an hour for the water to slacken before they could navigate through the muddy water and debris.

2:55pm, received a dispatch to an ill person at the marina mobile home park.  Officers responded and assisted Ventura fire and AMR with an 86 year old female with severe flu symptoms.  She was transported to local hospital.     
  1-08 7:00am, received a dispatch to a hazardous condition, steam coming from a manhole at the intersection of Harbor and Olivas Drive.  Officers responded along with Ventura fire and it was determined no emegency and due to the cool air temperature.
  1-09 1:10pm, while on patrol, officers sounded the Arundel Baranca and discovered significant shoaling from the recent storm, 6ft in the center of the channel.

10:30pm, received a report of curious circumstance.  Officers responded and discovered what appeared to be a bicycle accident with various personal items left behind at the accident scene.  It is under investigation.
  1-10 10:20pm, received a dispatch with multiple agencies to a water rescue of a grounded vessel on the beach at Woodstock lane Pierpont.  Officers responded in the fireboat and assisted Ventura fire with the call.  Three fishermen were rescued from a 73ft fishing in heavy surf.  The vessel remains on the beach and multiple agencies are taking fuel and other hazardous materials off the vessel.  The disposition of the vessel is still under consideration.

 

Vol. 9, No. 7 – January 6 – January 19, 2016 – Harbor Patrol Blotter

12-27 3:55pm, received a dispatch to a person trapped in a dumb-waiter.  Officers responded and assisted Ventura fire with extraction of the victim.  The patient refused further evaluation and was transported by a relative to the hospital.

6:05pm, while on patrol, officers observed several hoopnets placed illegally in the harbor entrance.  They were unable to locate the owners so the nets were confiscated and placed into found property.  
  12-30 3:00pm, while on patrol in the fireboat, officers observed 4 swimmers caught in a rip current.  Ventura County fire was on scene on the beach observing the swimmers also.  The swimmers were coached via P/A safely back to shore.
  1-02 1:30pm, received a report of stolen lawn ornaments from a mobile home park resident in the last few nights.  Officers advised they would investigate and directed the victim to file an online report with Ventura PD.

10:07pm, received a dispatch to a medical at Brophy Brothers in the village.  Officers responded and assisted Ventura fire and AMR.  A family member was being disruptive but was convinced to let the first responders do their work.

11:38pm, received a dispatch to an ill person wandering around the launch ramp.  Officers responded and found a local transient who has been acting strangely today but was in no need of medical assistance.  Ventura PD and harbor patrol escorted the individual out of the Harbor.
  1-03 6:30am, officers are gathering weather information for the upcoming storms next week and making preparations for the predicted large swells and strong south winds.
   

 

Vol. 9, No. 6 – December 23, 2015 – January 5, 2016 – Harbor Patrol Blotter

11-29 10:20am, received a report of vandalism/burglary from an employee of the Ventura Harbor Marina. The victim filed an online report with VPD.

4:00pm, received a report of a missing person.  The male suffers from Alzheimers and was last seen near the Hats unlimited store in the village. Dockmaster was able to reunite the husband and wife after a short search.
11-30 7:20pm, received a dispatch to an unconscious person in the restrooms at 1500 Spinnaker drive.  Officers responded and woke up a transient who was sleeping and in no need of medical assistance.
 12-01 4:11pm, received a dispatch to a medical at the marina mobile home park.  Officers responded and assisted VFD with a patient who was transported to CMH for further evaluation of ongoing medical issues.   
12-03 12:45, received a dispatch to a decomposing body in the Surfline near Nathan Lane.  Officers responded and assisted Ventura Fire with moving the body to the coroner’s vehicle.  The body is being examined to determine the identity.
12-04 1:05am, while on patrol, officers contacted a local transient illegally camping in his vehicle at the launch ramp.  The individual eventually left   
12-05 6:30am, officers observing large surf pounding the beaches surrounding the harbor.  Contacting small vessels at the launch ramp to ensure they are aware of the dangerous ocean conditions.

12:20pm, received a request for entrance conditions and safe navigation from the captain of a transient sailboat.  Officers responded in the fireboat, escorted the vessel safely into the Harbor for a berthing at the Ventura Yacht Club.
 12-06 6:01am, received a report of a commercial fishing vessel possibly taking on water in Ventura Harbor Village.  Officers responded and ascertained that the vessel was in no danger of sinking and was just normally low in the water.

 

12-07 7:30am, while on patrol, officers observed a small fire in the riverbottom and advised fire dispatch.  The fire was put out with the help of VFD.

9:00am, officers attending USLA lifeguard training put on by the Ventura County Fire Department at the Port District
 12-08 2:00pm, officers escorted a 34ft sailboat out of the Harbor due to the Hazardous conditions and lack of knowledge navigating the area.
12-09 10:55am, received a dispatch to a water rescue at Marina Park.  Officers responded and searched for the reported vessel capsizing with 3 persons onboard.  After an extensive search, officers were unable to locate a vessel or any victims and the person reporting was deemed an untrustworthy observer.

9:44pm, received a dispatch to a water rescue at Surfers Point, a woman was swept from the rocks.  Officers responded and the victim was located on the beach by Ventura FD.
12-10 11:08am, received a dispatch to a water rescue at Ventura Point.  Officers responded and the victim was assisted out of the water by State Parks.

11:53pm, received a request from Vessel Assist to standby at the Harbor Entrance due to extreme conditions.  Officers responded and escorted Vessel assist into the Harbor with dangerous conditions due to the wind and swell.
12-11 All day, officers were dealing with extreme weather and swell all day.  Some of the incidents: beach lots were closed after flooding occurred at Harbor Cove lot, officers were unable to respond to multiple water rescue calls due to hazardous sea conditions (the harbor entrance was closed), terminated the voyage of a small water skiing vessel attempting to navigate the extreme conditions and observing some of the strongest waves and wind of the year.

5:53pm, received a dispatch to a stroke victim at the Comedy Club.  Officers responded and assisted Ventura Fire and AMR with the patient who was transported to local hospital for further evaluation.
12-12 All day, officers were assessing damage and generally cleaning up after the large swell and windstorm from Friday.

 

 

Vol. 9, No. 5 – December 9 – December 22, 2015 – Harbor Patrol Blotter

Sunday  11-22  10:30am, officers attended a memorial ceremony with the fireboat.  The celebration of life was for a former outrigger paddler, Harbor patrolman and was organized by the Hokolua Canoe club.

4:01pm, received a request to tow a disabled sailboat back to its slip in the keys.  Officers responded and safely returned the vessel to its slip.
Monday 11-23 2:40pm, officers concluded a search for the missing fisherman in the Sandtrap/breakwall area where he disappeared last week.  Several items were found: hoop nets, hip-waders.  No identifying marks were on the items and none of them were believed to belong to the missing person.
 Tuesday  11-24 9:00pm, U.S. coast guard requesting berthing for a 24ft vessel they are towing from Rincon Island.  Officers advised they could utilize the Port’s longdock.  
Wednes  11-25 2:20pm, officers observed a small boat heading out in 30+ knots of wind and 8 foot seas.  They responded to contact the skipper and his three passengers but were unable to find them.  After searching the entire harbor, officers found the vessel in the keys and warned them of the dangerous conditions outside.

11:03pm, while on patrol, officers observed a suspicious person wandering around the Marina Mobile home park.  Contact was made and the individual advised he was looking for a restroom.  Officers followed the individual and escorted him out of the mobile home park to his vehicle parked near-by.
Thursday  11-26 1:07pm, received a dispatch to a fall victim at marina mobile home park.  Officers responded and assessed a 65 year old male who fainted.  The patient had ongoing issues and refused further treatment and/or transport to hospital.
Friday  11-27 2:53pm, received a dispatch to an assault near Margarita Villa.  Officers responded and staged near the incident.  Ventura PD arrived to mitigate the fight and eventually cancelled all responding units because no injuries occurred.
Saturday 11-28 All-day, officers conducted periodic searches by vessel for the missing fisherman.

1:55am, U.S. coast guard towed a commercial fishing vessel to Ventura Harbor after terminating their voyage because of numerous equipment violations.

 

Vol. 9, No. 4 – November 25 – December 8, 2015 – Harbor Patrol Blotter

11-8 3:20pm, received a report of a suspicious person acting strangely near the carousel lawn.  Officers responded and contacted the individual.  The patient was incoherent and it was determined he was likely overdosing on drugs.  Officers contacted Fire and PD to assist.  The patient was treated then arrested for being under the influence of drugs.

6:00pm, While on patrol, officers contacted an individual setting up a tent on the dirt lot near NPS at the end of Spinnaker.  A warning was issued for “No camping” ordinance and the individual took down the tent and moved on.
11-9

 

 

 5:40pm, received a distress call from a 28ft sailboat just outside the harbor in 35knots of wind in danger of going aground.  Officers responded in the fireboat, passed a tow line to the sailboat that was in the surf by this time.  The sailboat was safely towed back to the Harbor and released in their slip.
11-10 1:22pm, while on patrol near Surfers Knoll, officers observed two hang-gliders fall from the sky and land on the beach.  Contacted and requested flight plans from the pilots when they plan to fly again.
11-11

 

11-12

 

 

 

 

11-13

 11:00am, received a Mayday call on VHF 16 from a disabled motor vessel near the Ventura Pier. Officers responded, located the vessel, passed a tow line and safely towed the vessel to their slip in Ventura Isle Marina in the harbor.

6:23am, received a dispatch to a fall victim at the Holiday Inn Express.  Officers responded and found a 81 year old female had fallen and broke her hip ten hours ago in her hotel room and was unable to summon help until the maid attempted to open her door in the morning.  The patient was treated and transported to local hospital.

10:22pm, assisted Vessel Assist with a salvaged lightboat that was aground on Santa Rosa Island for the last few weeks.  Officers assisted by pushing the vessel into the travel lift for the boat yard.
   

 

KTLA on site in Ventura covering capsized 16ft vessel with a 65 year old fisherman unaccounted for

On Nov. 11, at 8:40 pm two men were outside of the Ventura Harbor on Friday night lobster fishing when their 15 foot skiff was hit by a 5 foot wave and was overturned outside of the rock groin on Greenock Lane, just adjacent to Marina Park. Both men in their 60’s were fully clothed and attempted to swim to shore. They both became separated as they entered the surf line. A resident on Greenock Lane made contact with one man as he made it to shore, the other mariner was not found and 911 was contacted.

Ventura City Firefighters with the assistance of many agencies responded into the area and began a coordinated search for the missing boater. The last point of contact was determined, and a search commenced– from the shore, in the ocean, on the jetty, and in the air. Ventura Port District, Coast Guard and the Oxnard Fire Department searched the surf line with boats and personal water craft.

Ventura County Copter 9 and Coast Guard Air Helicopter performed a patterned search pattern by air. A group of 6 ocean rescue swimmers deployed from the surf line and performed a coordinated search where the missing man was last seen. They also searched from Greenock Jetty to the Sand Trap (that is adjacent to the north jetty harbor entrance). As one of the Rescue Ocean Swimmers was searching within the surf, he was approached and bumped by a juvenile, 6 foot long– great white shark. No rescuers were injured. All swimming personnel were removed from the search; but air operations, shore search groups, and those searching on watercraft continued.

The vessel had drifted into shore and fractured parts of the boat had scattered onto the beach. The vessel was temporarily secured.

The intense search continued for nearly two and a half hours. Dark conditions, increasing offshore winds, and moderate surf complicated the search. Just before midnight, the incident was turned over to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department and the United States Coast Guard, who has ultimate authority beyond the water line. An extended search will continue through the night and the Ventura County Sheriff’s department will size up the conditions in the morning and will determine how they will proceed.

As of Nov. 23 he has not been located.

From the Harbor Patrol blotter

8:41pm, received a dispatch to a water rescue off Greenock lane, a capsized 16ft vessel with a 65 year old fisherman unaccounted for. Officers responded and began a search for the missing person with Ventura Fire, Oxnard fire, U.S. coast guard and VC sheriff. The call was eventually turned over to VC Sheriff and the U.S. coast guard.

8:00am, continuing the search for the lost fisherman with U.S. coast guard and VC sheriff search and

rescue.

3:30pm, called off the search for the missing fisherman for the day.

Submersible dive expedition in the Channel Islands

This boat has been seen in the Ventura Harbor, we asked John Higgins to explain what it is.

“Deep Sub LLC (the cat owner) and the Undersea Voyager Project (owner of a two man submersible) have partnered with The Nature Conservancy and the University of Oregon to accomplish a submersible dive expedition in the Channel Islands. The trip is based out of Ventura Harbor to explore the waters around Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa Islands below 150’. Fantastically, during the ice age 15,000 years ago sea level was 200’ lower, so the islands were bigger and connected by a land bridge. Presumably, the Indians would have moved down to live at the water’s edge; the trip will be using the sub to look for evidence of those Indian encampments. Because the study area is below 150’, the sub is better suited to the mission than scuba divers. Besides looking for Indian history, the sub will be used to explore the undersea geology of the land bridge and historic oil seeps around the islands. The expedition is very grateful for the support of the Ventura Harbor Patrol, Harbormaster and Port.”

John Higgins, Harbormaster

Vol. 9, No. 3 – November 11 – November 24, 2015 – Harbor Patrol Blotter

10-26

 

 

 12:15pm, received a report from U.S. coast guard of an EPIRB activation most likely at Ventura Isle Marina G-28.  Officers responded by land and discovered no vessel in the slip that was reported by coast guard.

11:00am, while on patrol officers observed an illegally parked RV at Harbor Cove beach parking lot.  The owner was contacted and he moved the vehicle to Spinnaker Drive without incident.

4:40pm, while on patrol in the boat, officers impounded several unattended hoop nets near the Harbor Entrance and in prohibited areas.
10-28 7:50am, while on patrol in the vehicle, an officer observed smoke and popping sounds in the Riverbottom.  After investigation an illegal fire was observed, a warning issued to a local transient for burning batteries and illegal camping.

2:00pm, while on patrol in the vehicle an officer observed a suspicious vehicle.  He ran the license plate and the vehicle was reported stolen.  Ventura PD responded and determined the keys were still in the ignition so they contacted the owner to pick up the vehicle.

3:38pm, received a dispatch to a hazard investigation at Olivas Park and Harbor blvd.  Officers responded and observed a palm frown had fallen on a power line causing an arc and was smoldering.  The fire was out and no further danger was observed.

4:15pm, received a dispatch to a water rescue: kite surfer in distress ½ mile off the Ventura Pier.  Officers responded picked up the kite surfer then transported him to the beach where he was assessed by AMR and fire then released.

5:00-10:22pm, officers dealt with a transient who stole a parking permit from VWM, drove his van in reverse (because had no forward gear) through the 4points Sheraton parking lot gate and lastly was found sleeping on a bench near VWM restrooms.  The transient was moved along and advised he would be arrested for trespassing if found in the area again.
 

10-31

 

 

  8:40pm, received a report of a becalmed 27ft sailboat with 2 POB’s near the #2 navigation buoy outside the harbor.  Officers responded and towed the vessel and released it to its slip in Ventura Harbor marina.

9:05pm, dispatched to a 92 year old female who fell at 4points Sheraton hotel.  Officers responded and determined that no injuries were sustained in the fall and the female was assisted back into bed.

8:18pm, while on patrol, officers observed a local transient in his White Van illegally camping at the launch ramp.  The male transient has been a nuisance for several days: parking illegally, camping illegally and operating a disabled vehicle that only drives in reverse.  Officers issued the vehicle a citation for expired registration.