Panel OKs No-Boat Zone at La Jolla Cove

With virtually no debate, the California Coastal Commission on Friday heeded the wishes of an influential band of rough-water swimmers and gave the green light for creation of a boat-free zone at La Jolla Cove.

The proposal, approved unanimously by commissioners during a meeting in Los Angeles, will go before the San Diego City Council for a final vote early next year, according to city Park and Recreation Department officials.

Under the plan, all vessels--including sailboats, rowboats and jet skis--would be prohibited in the zone, although lifeguard vessels would be permitted to enter to make rescues.

The zone, the first of its kind on the San Diego County coast, would be marked by buoys and violators would be cited. Surrounding the boat-free area is a large, 5-m.p.h. speed zone that extends from the cove northeast to La Jolla Shores beach.

Both the speed zone and the boat-free area are designed to prevent injuries to swimmers, who are a common sight at the cove and describe it as the premier venue for their sport on the West Coast. Each year, the 80-member La Jolla Swim Club sponsors a popular Rough Water Swim at the site.

Last summer, Phoenix resident Lauren Doyle was run over by a motorboat while swimming at the cove. She suffered a long, deep gash in her left arm that caused muscle and nerve damage, and her attorney, who maintains that a lifeguard vessel struck his client, said Doyle will sue the city.

Initially, the proposed zone and speed limit attracted criticism from divers and fishermen, who contended that it violates their rights to use the recreational area. Sport divers complained that they would be required to anchor outside the no-boat zone and swim long distances to the kelp beds, reefs and finger canyons that make the cove a popular diving area.

And scientists from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, who routinely conduct experiments beneath the surface of the cove, worried that they would have difficulty doing such work if they were prohibited from shuttling equipment into the scenic area.

In recent weeks, however, all parties in the dispute have reached agreement on a compromise. The new proposal--approved by the commission Friday--reduced by half the speed zone area and altered slightly the configuration of the boat-free area.

“The La Jolla Swim Club wanted to come up with something that was acceptable to everyone, and it appears they have,” said Terri Carroll, deputy director of the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation. “I think all the disagreements have been worked out.”

Remaining under the 5 m.p.h. speed restriction are waters closest to the cliffs that stretch north from the cove to La Jolla Shores beach and a narrow strip immediately offshore of the beach northward almost to Scripps Pier.

The no-boat zone and speed limit still must receive approval from the California Department of Fish and Game, the U.S. Coast Guard and the state Department of Boating and Waterways. Carroll said such approvals will be routine.