Malibu : Boating Law Revised Again

The city’s revised boating ordinance to allow private-beach residents to launch small motorboats from their properties is being revised again.

Faced with concerns by some residents that their small boats could be swamped by ocean swells if they didn’t have sufficient horsepower to get to shore, the council agreed Jan. 25 to allow boats with motors of no more than 10 horsepower or an engine displacement of up to 225 cubic centimeters to motor to and from private beaches.

The council had voted on an amendment Jan. 11 to permit boats with no more than five horsepower or an engine displacement of up to 105 cubic centimeters but reconsidered before the ordinance took effect. The revised ordinance will be given a final reading at the council’s meeting Monday.

The ordinance excludes the use of Jet Skis in most circumstances and boat launching or landing on the stretch of beach from Point Dume to Paradise Cove.

Except for the provision for private-beach residents, the ordinance prohibits boating within 300 yards of the beach except in authorized areas. Residents may operate a boat within 300 yards of shoreline in an emergency or when necessary to move the boat to or from a legal mooring.

The decision to allow shoreline access for private-beach residents was made by the council over the objections of some residents who feared the change would lead to an increase in boat noise, competition of boaters and swimmers, and danger to sea lions and pelicans.