Passports available at City Clerk’s office

The Newport Beach City Clerk’s office is now providing passport

services. Hours are Monday until Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon and from

1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Appointments are not required.

Adults need proof of U.S. citizenship as well as picture

identification, two identical passport photos 2 inches by 2 inches.

Photos are available at a number of local businesses listed in the Yellow

Pages under Passport Photo and Visa Services.

The cost to apply for a passport is $45 payable to Passport Services

plus a $15 processing fee paid to the city of Newport Beach.

Information: (949) 644-3005.

Tips to help with bay-friendly boating

Boaters who “top off” their tanks while fueling spill an average of 8

ounces into the water through the fuel system’s vent line. Well-meaning

skippers who use detergent to try to fix small oil spills not only break

the law by doing so, but they actually make the problem worse. These are

just a few of the environmental facts the city of Newport Beach and

organizations like Orange County CoastKeeper work to educate residents

about.

Tips they offer: Keep boat engines tuned at all times; never use soap

or detergent; use absorbent pads; know your vessel’s fuel capacity and

watch the fuel gauge while filling; don’t top off; wipe up spilled fuel

or oil; recycle used oil; tie-up securely to the dock; fill portable

tanks while on the dock; run your blower before and after fueling; check

bilges for leaks; and fuel ashore whenever possible.

More information on bay-friendly boating is available from CoastKeeper

at (949) 723-5424 or through the city of Newport Beach at (949) 644-3000.

For information about hazardous waste disposal, call (800) 253-2687. For

pumpout locations, call (800) 275-3474.