Late-night explosions caused by fishing boat

Greg Risling

NEWPORT BEACH -- Thinking it was a final salute to New Year’s

festivities, some Newport Harbor residents were rustled from their sleep

late Sunday night when a series of loud explosions sounded offshore.

The noise, some residents said, resembled that of powerful fireworks,

which are illegal in Newport Beach. But the explosions, it turned out,

weren’t from tardy New Year’s party-goers but from a fishing boat that

was trying to scare off seals.

“I’ve never heard that sound before down here,” said Dayna Pettit, who

lives near the east jetty. “I figured it was some kids setting off

fireworks. But every few minutes, a loud explosion would happen.”

The crew of the Amber Marie, a 34-foot vessel registered in Santa

Barbara, was given permission by the state Department of Fish and Game to

detonate the charges as a means of frightening off hungry seals. The

charges were supposed to be set off underwater after 11:30 a.m., but it’s

possible the devices floated on the surface, authorities said. Officials

from the fishing company couldn’t be reached for comment Monday.

“The noise probably bounced off the bluffs down there that made it echo,”

said Sgt. Paul Falk of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Harbor

Patrol. “It’s so quiet near the water and the noise may have sounded

louder than it actually was.”

Falk said the department received several complaints from irate residents

who said the commotion kept them awake. The series of explosions

reportedly were heard by people as far south as Cameo Shores.

Pettit estimates the loud booms lasted from 11:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Monday.

She said it’s unfair for residents to be subjected to the late-night

attempts to ward off seals.

“They are holding this entire area hostage with this noise,” Pettit said.

“They shouldn’t be doing this at night. I don’t know anyone who wants to

hear these sounds at that time of night.”