Commission backs harbor master: SF Marina tenant given deadline to fix insurance, electrical, surveys and operability

The Recreation and Park Commission on August 23 voted to support the harbor master’s corrective-action notice for a berth tenant at the San Francisco Marina and affirmed a compliance timeline that requires the berth holder to complete three outstanding items by September 1.

Harbor Master Scott Binder presented the department’s findings that prompted a June corrective-action letter. Binder outlined five categories of concern documented in his notices: 1) extensive tarping that obscured the vessel and hampered inspections and emergency access, 2) evidence of electrical issues or usage patterns suggesting a malfunction or potential live‑aboard conditions, 3) gaps in required hull/insurance surveys and a period without documented liability insurance, 4) a three‑way sewage valve observed open to the bay, and 5) apparent nonoperation of one engine and a vessel that had not left the berth for an extended period.

Appellant Bill Clark, the berth holder, disputed some findings and said a recent electrical pedestal fault and a dangling plug at the dock caused his inverter failure; he said he planned a haul‑out and major upgrades in mid‑October and asked for additional time because a new out‑of‑water survey would be duplicative if done before his scheduled overhaul. The harbor master and staff explained that insurance gaps and unresolved safety items present a significant liability for the city and that inspection documents and an on‑water operability demonstration were reasonable requirements. Staff said earlier cancellations of insurance coverage had been documented and that mobile pump‑out and other maintenance services were not in regular standing.

President Anderson proposed and the commission approved a motion affirming the harbor master’s list of required corrective actions and supporting the harbor master’s timeline that the berth holder demonstrate: 1) vessel operability by scheduling and completing a monitored movement in and out of West Marina; 2) submission of a marine‑electrician safety report verifying electrical compliance; and 3) provision of a valid recreational‑vessel insurance survey dated within the past 12 months. The commission seconded and the motion passed without opposition. Commissioners emphasized the harbor master’s authority under the marina rules and regulations and said failure to comply by the deadline could lead to termination of the berth and the department’s follow‑on remedies including potential removal or auction of the vessel if abandoned.

The harbor master said staff will permit a monitored sea trial (with department boat support present) and that the department has already secured temporary fixes for the sewage‑valve concern by securing the valve in the closed position pending repairs. The commission’s vote affirms the administrative enforcement path and sets September 1 as the compliance benchmark; commissioners and staff asked the berth holder to prioritize the listed items so the matter can be closed without further administrative action.