'Human Lift' At Newport Harbor Provides Access For Disabled Boaters

NEWPORT BEACH, CA — Individuals with disabilities or those who need extra help moving around will have an easier time taking to the waters in Newport Beach thanks to a human lift that was unveiled Thursday at the city's harbor.

The human lift was the first of its kind in Newport Beach and will allow a person to transfer more easily onto and off of boats from the Marina Park public docks, city officials said.

Mayor Kevin Muldoon said the lift is part of the city's effort to "create a more inclusive and welcoming harbor."

"It fits perfectly with our goal of making harbor activities such as boating, sailing and kayaking more accessible to everyone," he said.

City officials plan to use the lift as part of an upcoming adaptive sailing program at the harbor.

The lift hoists a person from the dock at the base of Marina Park's gangway and lowers them to water level, Newport Beach officials said. The lift is compatible with boats that rise up to 18 inches over the dock.

The lift itself, a Reliant 450 from Invacare Corp., cost $3,000; it cost an additional $5,000 to install it, officials said.

Seafarers can use the lift by request every day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Requests can be made by emailing the Harbor Department or calling 949-270-8159.

Ann Marie Jones, a disabled boater from Glendale, told the Daily Pilot the human lift wasn't just an accessibility issue; it's a safety issue as well.

She said transferring someone to and from a boat typically required two people to lift a person and maneuver her onto the deck from the dock. The maneuvering can get fairly dangerous for "somebody who's a normal size," Jones told the Pilot.

"It's dangerous for them because of their size and weight, but it's also dangerous for the people lifting them," she said. "So, for safety purposes, this [human lift] is far, far better. Totally far better."