Author: helgagendell

Capt. Troy Sears and his tall ship, the America, arrived at the Del Rey Yacht Club in Marina del Rey on Tuesday, Aug. 28, as a guest of the club. The America was part of legendary racing skipper Dennis Conner’s fleet. The 139-foot timber vessel is a replica of the original America, built in the 1800s, a low, black schooner, that won the America’s Cup in the Royal Yacht Squadron’s “100 Guinea Cup” race around the Isle of Wight in 1851. The trophy was donated to the New York Yacht Club to be held as a challenge trophy, and came to be known as the America’s Cup. Sears said he is returning from the America’s Cup that ended in San Francisco on Aug. 26. He was planning to return to San Diego, where the ship is anchored at the San Diego Maritime Museum, and participates in tours, whale watching and sunset cruises. The ship is now owned by Sears and is used as a family vessel as well. The company is named Dennis Conner’s America’s Cup Experience. There are four watertight compartments in the vessel, and in case of emergency such as a strike along the side, the engines would fail to function but the vessel wouldn’t sink, said Sears. “Dennis and I were in partnership on the vessel for six-and-a-half years. I bought him out last year, but...

The Marina Affairs Committee heard presentations for county projects in Marina del Rey from the Los Angeles County departments of Regional Planning and Public Works at its Aug. 15 meeting at Burton Chace Park. The Marina Affairs Committee is one of several committees of the LAX Coastal Area Chamber of Commerce. Gina Natoli, supervisor for Community Studies West Section of the Advance Planning Division of Regional Planning, will direct the Marina del Rey visioning process and Regional Planner Kevin Finkel will be working with her on the project. Pamela Manning and Brittany Barker from Public Works discussed various projects in the Marina that include roads, water lines, a watershed, sewers and others. Natoli told the committee that she is gathering public input related to an update to the Local Coastal Program (LCP) for the next 15 to 20 years. She said the primary goal is to receive public input, beginning with the kickoff meeting either in late September or early October. The team and other aspects first need to be put in place before a meeting date is determined. Natoli said this is the opportunity for community members to say what they would like to see in the Marina right now, rather than 15 to 20 years in the future. “We will never refuse to meet with anyone, and if we are invited to a neighborhood council meeting or...