Daily Conference Schedule

Transportation for the Scripps Institute Tour  Leaves from the Hotel

26th Annual Golf Tournament - Torrey Pines Golf Course

Marina Operations: Shock Hazards, Code Compliance, and Corrosion in the Marina

Malcolm Morgan

Malcolm Morgan will present a three hour seminar, covering the often misunderstood topics of shock hazards, corrosion, NFPA code compliance, and the potential liability for Harbormasters, Marina Owners, and Managers.

The seminar will cover existing electrical codes and regulations requiring waterfront facilities to do annual electrical inspections, and how to perform these inspections and keep appropriate records. We will review the common tools and methods used to make a few basic tests to check for hazardous conditions.

Malcolm will also discuss how electrolysis and resulting corrosion affect dock systems, vessels, and rapid zinc loss.  The day’s program will also review the proper use of shore power connections, electrical cords and adaptors, and methods of mitigating associated shock and fire risks. Handouts and reference materials will be provided for all attendees.

Malcolm Morgan, Malcom Morgan Marine / M³

Matthew Oakley

The Harbor Police response to any of our marina fire, or what we call our Marina Standard Operating Guideline (S.O.G.). Within this presentation we will outline not only our response to a fire from the water, but also the response of any land based fire departments. 

Additionally, we will provide information that will be helpful for dock masters, marina managers or reporting parties, of things they can do to improve our response. These things include but are not limited to, providing firsts responders with slip number(s) of vessel(s) involved, turning off shore power (electrical) to docks prior to our response, and assisting with accountability of any and all marina residence to limit our concern for rescue. 

Marina Operations: Fire Preparation & Management Q & A

Registration Desk Opens for Exhibitors

Registration Desk Opens for Attendees

New Member/Attendee Welcome and Orientation

Welcome Reception in Exhibit Hall 

Presidents' Welcome (Darryl McConnell Leadership Award)

Scott Robertson, President, Marine Recreation Association
Andrea Lueker, President,California Association of Harbor Masters and Port Captains

MRA General Membership Meeting and Elections

Scott Robertson, President, Marine Recreation Association
Kate Pearson, Regional Vice President, Safe Harbor Marinas
Steve Meckfessel, Owner/Manager, Marina Village Yacht Harbor/ SRM Marina Investor

CAHMPC Open Annual Business Meeting, Slate for 2022 and Nominations From the Floor

Coffee Break with the Exhibitors

Tuesday Morning Refreshments Sponsored by: -

The U.S. economy has rebounded strongly from 2020’s pandemic-caused economic downturn.  Will that strength continue in 2022?  Will employment return to pre-pandemic levels or will it lag due to many businesses closing their doors?  Will people feel comfortable traveling and interacting again?  Will the housing market remain hot?  What will be the impact of government policy, both on the expenditure and taxation fronts?  Is there danger that the economy will overheat?  What is the outlook for inflation and interest rates?  These questions and their impact on the recreation industry will be addressed in this session.
Alan Gin, Ph.D., School of Business Administration, University of San Diego

Callie Hoyt, Director of Federal Government Relations, National Marine Manufacturers Association

Kevin Ketchum

A look back at the year in review and a deeper dive into the state of the industry over the last decade.
Kate Pearson, Regional Vice President, Safe Harbor Marinas
Kevin Ketchum, California Yacht Marinas

Alexander (Sasha) Gershunov

In a warmer climate, daily precipitation in the West is expected to become less frequent even as precipitation extremes intensify. Precipitation extremes in the West are historically associated with Atmospheric Rivers (ARs), which become wetter in a warmer climate. Greater reliance on extreme events increases the year-to-year variability of the regional hydroclimate, particularly over California, making both drought and flood years more likely. While the decrease in precipitation frequency is mostly due to non-AR events (e.g. frontal cyclones), the increase in heavy and extreme precipitation is almost entirely due to ARs. This research demonstrates that examining meteorological causes of precipitation regime change can lead to better and more nuanced understanding of climate projections. It highlights the critical role of future changes in ARs to Western water resources, especially over California.

Alexander (Sasha) Gershunov, Research Meteorologist, Climate, Atmospheric Science and Physical Oceanography (CASPO), Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University California San Diego

Why Becoming a Certified Clean Marina or Boatyard is Important and How to Achieve Becoming a Certified Clean Marina or Boatyard

Becca Gross, Assistant Marina Manager, Cabrillo Way Marina

The Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing System (SCCOOS) – a data provider to the national U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) – works to collect, integrate, and deliver coastal and ocean observations in order to improve safety, enhance the economy, and protect the environment. SCCOOS Executive Director will describe how SCCOOS provides diverse stakeholders with critical information related to climate change, coastal hazards, marine ecosystems, fisheries, water quality and marine operations. The latter focus area involves close collaboration with the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, the Port of San Diego, and NAVAIR at Pt Mugu as well as our partner programs the Coastal Data Information Program (CDIP) and the Center for Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation (CCCIA). 

The InfraGard Program is an alliance between the FBI and the private sector to address threats and hazards for the benefit of national infrastructure protection through communication and education.  It is a joint effort championed by the FBI, which includes many government partners and private individuals representing all sixteen critical infrastructure sectors of the US economy.  There are 77 local chapters across the country aligned with the nearest FBI field office and includes approximately 75,000 vetted individuals from private industry and government agencies.  InfraGard is a tremendous asset which all Americans, 18 years and older and connected to infrastructure are encouraged to apply to at www.infragard.org.

Sean Kelly, FBI SA

A review of a working document for boat rental operators of the MRA with suggested policies and procedures for maintaining an effective boat rental business.  This document is based on an initial working group of MRA members representing boat rental facilities statewide.

 Barbara Galgiani, Sales Executive, LP Insurance Services, Inc. 
B. Otis Felder, Of Counsel, Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman Dicker, LLP

Future Trends in Marina Design

Bryce Fisher, Manager of Project Development, Southwest Division, Bellingham Marine

USEPA and the State of California adopted water quality limits for copper. Total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) and other regulatory mechanisms work to limit the use of copper to meet water quality limits. The controls require all stakeholders to be involved in limiting the copper uses. Cities, counties, marina owners/operators, individual boat owners, underwater hull cleaners, and boatyard owners/operators are to develop their own plan to meet water quality limits for copper through conversion to low leach rate copper or non-copper antifouling boat paint and hull cleaning best management practices.

MRA is participating as an active stakeholder in the regulatory process to communicate boater concerns and gain a early understanding of the emerging compliance requirements. Recently the Los Angeles and Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Boards identified copper reduction efforts as priority actions in Los Angeles, Ventura, and Orange Counties. The Los Angeles Regional Board plans to develop a conditional waiver of waste discharge requirements (WDRs) for the discharge of biocides from boats. The presenters will summarize current and planned copper reduction strategies for Southern California coastal waters.

 Shelly Anghera, PhD, Principal Scientist, Moffatt & Nichol 

Topic 3: CAHMPC Annual Business Meeting, Elections, Swearing in of 2022 Board of  Directors and Awards

The Marina/Harbor Industry and how it has Changed in the Past Decade.

Customer expectation, investment, and workforce competition have been drivers for a transformation of the recreational maritime industry.

Kate Pearson Vice President Business Development Safe Harbor Marinas
Gary Jones, Director, Los Angeles County Department of Beaches & Harbors
Jim Hayes, Chief Operating Officer, Almar Management Inc. 

Wine Tasting & Craft Beer Reception in Exhibit Hall with Entertainment by Steve Meckfessel and Peter Andrews

Wine & Craft Beer Tasting Corkage Sponsored by: - 

Keynote Speaker

The recreational boating and fishing industry is significant economic driver in California, delivering over $13 Billion in economic impact in the state each year. As one of the top 10 boating states in the U.S., recreational boating creates over 41,000 jobs in California and contributes over $2 Billion in GDP. Robert Newsome, Senior Vice President of Operations for the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), will be discussing boating participation, sales trends and other elements of economic impact resulting from Californian’s passion for boating and fishing.

Robert Newsome, Senior Vice President of Strategy, Engineering Standards & Membership, National Marine Manufacturers Association

Coffee Break with the Exhibitors

Tuesday Morning Refreshments Sponsored by: -

Recently, a number of maritime businesses have been the recipients of demand letters and/or lawsuits alleging their websites are not accessible to persons with visual disabilities.  Typically,  the initial demands seek a settlement of $5,500, which includes the minimum statutory penalty of $4,000 plus attorney’s fees of $1,500.  These claims are made for violations of California’s Unruh Act,  enacted in 1959 and named for its author, Jesse M. Unruh. The Unruh Civil Rights Act is codified as California Civil Code Section 51.  Some pro-plaintiff ADA lawyers have made it their business model to use this Act to their financial advantage.

The Unruh Civil Rights Act  provides that all persons are entitled to full and equal accommodations, advantages, facilities, privileges, or services in all business establishments of every kind whatsoever.  In 1992, the Unruh Act was amended to provide that “[a] violation of the right of any individual under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990… shall also constitute a violation of this section The Ninth Circuit has since held that violating the ADA is a per se violation of the Unruh Act.

Michael Wales will discuss which website content accessibility guidelines apply; how the Courts interpret and apply the ADA and the Unruh Act; how to respond to a demand or lawsuit; potential  defenses; and how to avoid being a victim of one of these lawsuits.

 Michael G. Wales, Esq., Southern California Maritime Lawyer, The Wales Law Firm, P.C. 

Bill Gross, General Manager, The Lodge at Torrey Pines

Topic 3: Are We There Yet? Getting Past the Covid-19 Pandemic

At the start of the pandemic, official guidance and employer requirements changed rapidly. As restrictions begin to ease, employers are once  again facing rapidly changing requirements. This session will provide the most up to date regulatory requirements and best practices for business operations. 

Robert Smith, Executive Director, Fisher Phillips Safety Solutions

Travis W. Vance, Of Counsel, Fisher & Phillips, LLP

Topic 1:  Protecting Your Marina - What insurance should you require from your vessel owners for maximum protection of your marina?

This seminar will explore the different types of marine insurance coverages available so you may decide what best suits your operation for maximum protection.

James R. Oberg, Douglas K. Smith Marine Insurance Services, Inc.

Topic 2: Dealing With Unhinged Boat Owners and War Stories (Part II)

Most marina owners and operators occasionally encounter unbalanced boat owners who engage in unacceptable, often bizarre conduct, including: harassing or threatening fellow tenants, berthing boats without permission, abusive or threatening interaction with marina staff members, releasing effluent into the water, posting or otherwise communicating false and defamatory information regarding the marina, living aboard without permission (sneak aboards), engaging in major vessel repairs/work, filing of bogus lawsuits, drunken/impaired operation of vessels, unauthorized relocation of vessels from assigned slips, chartering boats without permission, loud/disruptive parties, defecating in marina showers, using a vessel as a brothel, using boats as floating hotels, and intentionally damaging marina property.

In addition to discussing the manner in which to handle such unacceptable conduct, Mr. Weiss will regale attendees with “war stories” occurring since his last “war stories” presentation (in the MRA’s 48th Annual Conference in October, 2019). Attendees’ active participation is encouraged and will be greatly appreciated. 

Philip E. Weiss, Esq., Brodsky, Micklow, Bull & Weiss, LLP

Does that Certificate of Insurance truly cover the contractors you let work on your marina premises?

Do you know how to interpret a Certificate of Insurance and/or Policy Declaration page(s) correctly?

his presentation will guide you through steps to ensure that your marina or boatyard is protected from uninsured or underinsured vendors and contractors and how to determine when Workman's Compensation is needed.

It also includes explanations and the importance of an MGL/SRLL Insurance Policy so that you can be confident you took all the necessary steps to ensure your business is protected, and not at risk.

James R. Oberg, Douglas K. Smith Marine Insurance Services, Inc.
Shelley Griffin, Director of Marina Operations, Bay Club Hotel and Marina

The industry has seen a renewed interest in boating, how do we keep this pace of momentum in the future and continue to grow recreational boating?

Jim Blaze, Franchise Development Manager, Freedom Boat Club| Freedom Franchise Systems
Jamie Clark, Staff Commodore, Pacific Coast Yachting Assn and Assn of Santa Barbara Channel Yacht Clubs
Freya Olsen, Director of Industry Relations, National Marine Manufacturers Association

Join us as Captain Timothy Barelli, Sector Commander, USCG Sector San Diego, talks about Coast Guard missions in San Diego and their critical efforts to keep the southwest coast safe, secure, environmentally protected, and economically prosperous. From interdicting illicit activity at sea and ensuring the safe passage of maritime commerce, to conducting Search and Rescue and environmental response missions, the US Coast Guard Sector San Diego remains Ready, Relevant, and Responsive.