Human Powered Craft Operational Safety Guidelines Signage and Sticker Program

About the Program

Category: County Administration and Management (Best in Category)

Year: 2011

Dana Point harbor is a coastal, public facility entrusted to the County of Orange through a State tidelands Grant. OC Dana Point Harbor is the department responsible for providing the management and leadership for the daily operations and ensuring the viability of the facility in the future. In recent years, Dana Point harbor has seen a dramatic increase in the use of stand-up paddleboards and other human-powered craft (HPC) in the Harbor. In an effort to educate all HPS users and their fellow power and sail boaters on how to operate their vessels in a safe and considerate manner, OC Dana Point Harbor implemented the HPC Safety Guidelines, which included guidelines for the safe operation of HPS within the Dana Point Harbor boundaries. This new program was developed based on the United States Coast Guard Navigation Rules and included the design and production of a sticker promoting the safe operation of HPC while within the Harbor. Upon implementation there was extensive outreach educating the community on the program and providing users with the sticker. The sticker was designed to be placed on the top of HPC and provides a map with suggested routes and safety guidelines that can be referenced while maneuvering within Dana Point Harbor. The stickers have been made available free of charge to the public and HPC sales and rental establishments and instructors. Informational signage was installed at the principal HPC launch area known as “Baby Beach,” providing additional detail of this program.