Public Boat
Launch
City Council – Item N.1.
November 4, 2025
Newport Beach Boat Launch
PROJECT TIMELINE AND NEXT STEPS
Summer 2025: Technical studies completed
September 2025: Public Boat Launch outreach/workshop 9/23/25 at the Redondo Beach Library October 2025: Harbor Commission makes a recommendation
November 2025: City Council approves a resolution to apply for DBW's 2026/2027 grant cycle February 2026: Boat Launch grant application due to DBW January 2027: DBW makes the final recommendation of the 2026/2027 grant awards to the State to be funded in the FY 27/28 budget
July 2027: State of California's budget is adopted, including the recommended boat launch grant awards
Fall 2027/Winter 2028: City receives the grant agreement. The project must be completed within 3 years of receiving the grant agreement
PROJECT TEAM
Moffatt & Nichol
Santa Barbara Boat Launch
From 1959 to today, more than 19 launch locations on Moles A, B, C, and D have been studied.
Boat Launch – History
1959 to present
Source: City of Redondo Beach (Historic Archives)
“Development of a boat launch facility in a vibrant seaside community aimed at enhancing access to recreational boating, public spaces, and strengthening the connection between residents and their waterfront. This project will prioritize inclusive public spaces, environmental stewardship, and public safety, while supporting the functional requirements of vessel launching and retrieval. The facility will serve as both a practical resource and a destination that reflects the character and needs of the people it serves."
PROJECT GOALS
KING HARBOR PUBLIC AMENITIES PLAN - PAST COMMUNITY OUTREACH 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400
PUBLIC
RESTROOMS 24%
ZERO DEPTH
ENTRY
PARKING FOR
TRAILERS
SHOWERS
17%
17%
16%
14%
SAFE PED,
CROSSOVER
DEDICATED BOAT
WASH/AREA
13%
Q: What features would you like to see at a new Public Boat Launch? (Select all that apply)
Existing Boat Hoist
Existing
promenade
& pedestrian
circulation
Existing
boat hoist
MOLE D
A
B
C
D
A
B
C
Existing Site – Mole D
Existing Waterfront Promenade
Existing Boat Hoist
Existing Driveway Existing Marina Slip Tenants
Restroom
D
EXISTING SITE
INVESTIGATION
1 2
Coastal Conditions Characterization
BOAT LAUNCH USAGE DEMAND EVALUATION
Parking and Traffic Circulation
EXISTING SITE INVESTIGATION
BOAT LAUNCH RAMP LOCATION PLACEMENT - OPTION A
• Best option in terms of
circulation due to space
for turning and ample
space for queuing lanes
• Minimal disruption to
waterfront pedestrian
promenade
• Lowest expected wave run-up,
most protected area from
waves
• Smallest ramp footprint
• Cost effective
• Ability to protect existing 10,000
SF commercial space and
associated Harbor revenue
• This option provides the
narrowest channel width
for 2 lanes of vessel
navigation but still
meeting minimum
requirements
Benefits Drawbacks
BOAT LAUNCH RAMP LOCATION PLACEMENT - OPTION B
• Vehicle queuing can
begin in the parking lot
• Maintains channel width
for vessel navigation and
provides 40ft more width
than Option A
• Preserves existing docks
• Location of ramp requires
separation from parking
and boat wash down areas
• Shorter vehicle
queuing in parking
lot
• A portion of the
pedestrian promenade
will be lost with this
option
• Demolition of existing
Mole D restaurant
tenant building
Benefits Drawbacks
BOAT LAUNCH RAMP LOCATION PLACEMENT - OPTION C
Benefits Drawbacks
• Closest to Harbor Dr.
Access
• Widest navigational
clearance
• Ability to protect existing
10,000 SF commercial
space and associated
Harbor revenue
• Severed pedestrian
promenade
• Potential conflict with
kayak drop off area
• Minimum queue/stacking
length
• Turning circle difficult to
navigate from main
entrance off Harbor Dr
• High potential wave runup, least protected from
waves and requires
significant grading and/ or
sheet pile protection
• Significant regulatory
permitting hurdle
• Largest ramp footprint
• Highest cost
SHEET PILE WALL
KING HARBOR
PUBLIC BOAT LAUNCH
Community Workshop
September 23, 2025 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
BOAT LAUNCH AMENITIES
Zero depth entry
Public restroom &
showers
Dedicated boat
wash area
Parking for
trailers
Safe pedestrian
crossover
Enhanced waterfront
promenade
Seating
Flexible open
lawn
•Good vehicle circulation and
parking layout like Option A
•Minimal disruption to waterfront
pedestrian promenade
•Improved Channel Navigation
width over Option A
•Ability to protect existing Mole D
restaurant building in place
BOAT LAUNCH RAMP LOCATION PLACEMENT - OPTION E
Benefits
Option E
•October 13 2025 the Harbor
Commission voted unanimously to
recommend staff bring to City Council
for recommendation to apply for the
BLF grant using Option E
•Option E also received full support of
the Boat Launch Subcommittee and
some members of the public
•Harbor Commission also wanted to
highlight that a decision regarding a
location is only a first step and that
the ultimate final design must also
carefully consider on-site circulation,
protection of pedestrians, location of
queuing docks, and more.
Harbor Commission Meeting
RECOMMENDATION
28 • Receive and file report
• Recommend City Council direct staff to return at a future date with a resolution directing staff to apply for the Boat Launch Facility Grant using Option E as a preferred location