Waterfront wins $78,500 SAFE grant for vessel removals; Harbor and Seafood Festival planned Saturday

The Harbor Commission heard that the City of Santa Barbara Waterfront Department received a $78,500 grant from the California Harbor and Watercraft Revolving Fund’s SAFE (Surrendered and Abandoned Vessel Exchange) program to reimburse the city for vessel removal and disposal costs.

Harbor Operations Manager Nathan Aldridge said the statewide SAFE program reduced total award dollars this cycle (statewide funding dropped), but Santa Barbara’s award increased from $65,500 in the prior cycle to $78,500 this year. The grant reimburses up to 90% of eligible vessel-removal and disposal costs; Aldridge said total disposal costs for the last cycle were $135,997 and the waterfront covered roughly $70,000 of that expense.

Aldridge said the funds will be used to remove abandoned or voluntarily surrendered recreational vessels and associated navigation hazards. He described the process for voluntary turn-in: owners provide title documentation, remove hazardous materials and sign over the vessel to the city for disposal; the city then coordinates hoisting, hauling and disposal. Aldridge noted the waterfront’s voluntary turn-in pilot (including a private–public partnership offering $500 incentives) has resulted in three successful vessel turn-ins to date.

Aldridge also reminded the commission and public of a Harbor and Seafood Festival scheduled for Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The free event will feature local seafood vendors (lobster, albacore, fish tacos, oysters, mussels, clam chowder, paella), music, arts and crafts, Coast Guard and harbor patrol tours, free boat rides and maritime-education booths. Aldridge said the festival coincides with the opening of local lobster season and encouraged broad public participation.