4.0

4.1

4.2

4.3

HARBOR DESIGN SOLUTIONS

Alternative design solutions to the problems surrounding the
Oceanside Harbor have been under study in a multi-stage
process over a number of years. Among the many options
considered, nine candidate plans were summarized in the 1983
Navigation Study Progress Report. Evaluations were based in
part on preliminary results of Waterways Experiment Station
model tests of various breakwater and jetty modifications on
their ability to reduce shoaling and surge and storm wave
damage.
The review process also included economic
feasibility and review by local interests at a public
meeting.

Of

the nine plans reviewed, the last (#9) appears to merit serious consideration for its potential of mitigating the safety hazards and damage problems that result from surge and storm wave action within the harbor breakwater. Its configuration also provides a base for the potential expansion of the harbor at some date in the future, although the Oceanside Harbor District and the City of Oceanside at this time wish to focus entirely on the safety and damage problems that result from existing defective design.

Key features of plan (#9) include a 300-foot extension of the north breakwater, a 250-foot stub groin on the south jetty, and removal of the entire north groin, which is submerged and constitutes a navigation hazard. A feature which would be omitted from the requested study at this time is the proposed 2,100 foot inner harbor breakwater which would have as its purpose the formation of an inner sheltered basin for the expansion of recreational facilities. One design advantage deleted by this omission will be the desired separation of military and civilian craft within the harbor, however, this objective is not eliminated and can be achieved at a later date, under the modified plan (#9).

5.0 WORK TO BE DONE

5.1

Considerable work and expense have gone into the studies that are summarized in the 1983 Navigation Study Progress Report. The suggested modifications to the breakwater and jetty contained in the modified plan (#9) are urgently needed in order to protect both civil and military interests at the joint use harbor. Loss of life and injury has impacted both civilians and military personnel who use the harbor facilities. It is therefore the contention of the Oceanside Harbor District and the City of Oceanside that the feasibility study should be completed as soon as possible so that necessary design modifications can be made to both military and civilian facilities that constitute the protection of the joint use harbor.

5.2

Work remaining to be completed under the feasibility study phase of this proposed Navigation project is minimal. It includes confirmation and updating of existing studies, additional environmental analysis and a full environmental assessment, and presentation of findings to the public and to appropriate local, state and federal agencies for comment. We believe this work can be accomplished during FY87 within the recommended appropriation of $110,000.

6.1.1

6.1.2

INJURIES AND DEATHS

CASE HISTORIES AT OCEANSIDE HARBOR

On November 21, 1983, two young Marines from Camp
Pendleton set out on a fishing expedition just after
dusk. Cpl. Billie Joe Parrish, 22, had just purchased
a 10-foot outboard skiff. His companion Stewart D.
Poulsen, told officers that they went fishing off Camp
Del Mar bouy #3 inside the harbor breakwater. The fish
were biting but they had run out of bait and motored
across the harbor to the Cape Cod area on the south of
the harbor and purchased more bait. On their return
toward the entrance of the harbor, their boat was hit
by waves and swamped. Both men tried to swim for the
nearby rock jetty of the outer breakwater. Poulse
made it and crawled along
breaking waves to get help.
the rocks and drowned. His
weeks later.

the breakwater between Parrish never made it to body was recovered two

Waves

On Sunday, February 13, 1983 at about 3:30 a... the
42-foot commercial fishing boat, The City of Oceanside,
began its regular run for live bait. It had a crew of
four experienced boatmen. Chester Dolan was at the
helm. There was a small craft warning posted.
were breaking around six feet and not considered
dangerous for this size boat. The City of Oceanside
was valued at $75,000 and had about $15,000 worth of
gear and nets on board. As Skipper Dolan turned the
vessel north at the harbor mouth, they encountered a
heavy set of waves. The concerned crew included Howard
Schultz, 51, David Dreyer and Fred Hatfield. Crewna
Schultz noticed that the large fishing net at the aft
of the vessel was in danger of being washed overboard
by the waves. Schultz went to secure the net. He was
hit by a large wave and both he and the net were wasted
overboard. The other crewmen, in a desperate struggle
with the elements and net, finally rescued Schultz who
was entangled in the net. They pulled him into the
boat but the net fouled the engine propeller, killing
the power. The boat was helpless against the pounding
surf. Within a few minutes, the boat was pounded into
the south jetty. It was breaking up fast. The crew
members, Skipper Dolan, Hatfield and Dreyer, decided to
abandon ship and successfully jumped
to the jett
rocks. Schultz, however, yelled that he couldn't make
it, apparently weakened by his ordeal of being swept
overboard earlier. A few seconds later, the boat was
pounded to pieces by the heavy surf and Schultz was
killed. His body was recovered a short time later D
emergency personnel from a nearby Coast Guard Station.