In 1980, a 1,252-square-nautical-mile portion of the Santa Barbara Channel was given a special protected status with the designation of the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. The sanctuary is an area of national significance because of its exceptional natural beauty and resources. It encompasses the waters that surround Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel and Santa Barbara Islands, extending from mean high tide to six nautical miles offshore around each of the five islands. The sanctuary's primary goal is the protection of the natural and cultural resources contained within its boundaries.

2950 South Harbor Blvd.
Channel Island Harbor, CA 93035

Telephone: 805.984.3371

Within the past year, Channel Islands Harbor has become the home port for many new Sea Ray yachts. Most of these new yachts are owned by "first-time" yacht owners who are anxious to cruise the California Coast and Islands in the company of more seasoned Sea Ray yacht owners. Learning from other yacht owners has been the primary source of yacht-handling and cruising knowledge for many years. In addition, and just as important, are the strong friendships that develop during these exciting times.

The first Sea Ray Owners Assoc. was established in Southern California in 1967 by myself and two dear friends, Betty and Dennis Ziebell. It grew rapidly over the years and today is known as the International Sea Ray Owners Association, the worlds second largest owner's association having tens of thousands of members.

Channel Islands Yacht Club (CIYC), situated in the beautiful Channel Islands Harbor, has been serving the needs of its members, the boating community, and Ventura County water-associated activities since its founding in 1960. With an authorized membership of 400, the club has thrived on the enthusiasm, involvement, and volunteer spirit of its members. The club members form a diverse mixture of people from all walks of life sharing a mutual love of the sea. The atmosphere of the harbor-front clubhouse, with its spacious dining room and comfortable bar, is warm and friendly, reflecting the Club's fine reputation on the Southern California Gold Coast. The Club's activities include a well-rounded program of sailboat racing, predicted log racing, cruising, and fishing activities, as well as an active social program.

We are proud to present a county government that is accessible and responsive. You are invited to explore the many services and county programs that support and contribute to an exceptional quality of life that includes low crime rates, beautiful communities, award-winning schools, a mild, year-round climate, and a diverse and strong, growing regional economy.

Fairwind Yacht Club, an all volunteer sailing cooperative in Marina del Rey and Channel Islands Harbor (Oxnard), is the ideal way for boating enthusiasts to have year-round access to sailboats moored in the marina without the high costs of ownership. Established in 1966 as a nonprofit corporation, Fairwind Yacht Club is a family oriented association whose members enjoy free training, quality sailing, cruising and fun with fellow members who share a common love of sailing and the sea. The quarterly dues are painless. The volunteer work is fun and rewarding,. The benefits are numerous and include year-round access to sailboats of varying lengths and types, free sailing lessons, and group cruises organized by the Club to nearby marinas, Catalina Island, other offshore islands and for whale watching.

Marina Sailing is California's oldest and largest sailing club offering a hundred affordable sail and powerboat rentals and charters including fishing boats and catamarans. Our boats are available for bare boat charter, or rent a yacht with a captain! We also offer beginning, intermediate, and advanced sailing lessons. Our Complete Sailing Course includes American Sailing Association (ASA) 101 and 103 certifications and membership in the Marina Sailing Club. We offer group and private instruction at all levels.

Whether you've decided to get your Captain's License, upgrade to a Masters License or are just interested in advancing your boating knowledge to enhance your recreational enjoyment and safety on the water, Mariners School is the best course to take.

Mariners School is an established and growing business with locations throughout the Northeast, from Maryland to Rhode Island. All of our training staff are U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)-licensed Master instructors with many years of experience on the water and in the classroom. They bring an advanced level of knowledge, experience and seamanship that is at the heart of the training excellence at Mariners School.

The Maritime Institute has created and offers U.S. Coast Guard licensing courses and testing from our base in San Diego, California and at a growing number of cities on both coasts of the United States. Find out why we are one of the best sources of information and instruction for you to obtain the license you need.

The health of the Santa Monica Bay is vital to our regional economy, our local ecology as well as our collective well-being. In recognition of the need to restore and protect the Santa Monica Bay and its resources, the State of California and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency established the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Project (SMBRP) as a National Estuary Program in December 1988. The Project was formed to develop a plan that would ensure the long-term health of the 266 square mile Bay and its 400 square mile watershed, located in the second most populous region in the United States. That plan, known as the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Plan, won State and Federal approval in 1995. Since then the SMBRP's primary mission has been to facilitate and oversee the implementation of the Plan.

Now taking applications for both the Southwest and Northern Borders. Learn more and apply on-line.

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is a military branch of the United States involved in maritime law, mariner assistance, and search and rescue, among other duties of coast guards elsewhere. One of the seven uniformed services of the United States, and the smallest armed service of the United States, its stated mission is to protect the public, the environment, and the United States economic and security interests in any maritime region in which those interests may be at risk, including international waters and America's coasts, ports, and inland waterways.

Semper Paratus
"Always Ready"

Established by Congress in 1939, the 30,000 members of the United States Coast Guard Auxillary are Semper Paratus. Vessel safety checks, harbor patrols, safe boating courses, search and rescue, marine environmental protection. These are just a few of the services provided by the Auxillary. Each year, Auxillarists volunteer more than two million hours benefitting boaters and their families. We invite you to explore our web site and learn more about who we are and what we do to be 'Semper Paratus.'

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). CBP combined the inspectional workforces and broad border authorities of U.S. Customs, U.S. Immigration, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the entire U.S. Border Patrol.

Ventura County Maritime Museum is located at:

Channel Islands Harbor
2731 S. Victoria Ave.
Oxnard, CA 93035
Voice: 805-984-6260

Hours 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily except Christmas

The Museum houses one of the two largest collections of antique Prisoner of War sailing ship models in the United States, including seven rare bone models made by French prisoners of the British in the 18th century. Ship models trace more than 3000 years of maritime history, from reed boats used by Peruvian fisherman and tomols made by the local Chumash natives to modern-day car carriers, including the entire life's work and workshop of Ed Marple, one of America's foremost ship model builders. The Museum also has an extensive and world-class marine art collection, featuring works by the Dutch and Flemish masters, 17th century marine artists Willem van de Velde and Bonaventura Peeters, and noted modern day artists John Stobart, Montague Dawson, David Thimgan, Roy Cross, and others. Exhibits on whaling, sailor's arts, navigation instruments, and the history of Channel Islands Harbor and Port Hueneme, the only deep-water port between Los Angeles and San Francisco, round out the permanent collection. Special topical and featured guest artist exhibitions are presented on an ongoing basis.

The Museum welcomes about 25,000 visitors annually from all over the United States, as well as from more than 30 foreign countries. The Elementary Education Program, staffed entirely by volunteers, conducts in-house tours for thousands of elementary school students each year. Our At Sea Education program supports three-day youth sailing expeditions onboard working tall ships. Special group tours are available by prior arrangement.

Ventura Power Squadron is a unit of United States Power Squadrons ®. The United States Power Squadron is a non profit, educational organization dedicated to making boating safer and more enjoyable by teaching classes in seamanship, navigation and related subjects. Our members are boating families who contribute to their communities by promoting safe boating through education. We enjoy participating with our fellow members on the water and in the classroom.