Breakwater Flag Returns to Marina del Rey

After nearly a year absence, the American flag is once again flying over the breakwater in Marina del Rey.

The flag was taken down during the dredging of the Marina that began in April 2012 and ended later that year. The channel is dredged every decade or so as sediment accumulates and restricts navigation, for recreational boaters as well as emergency personnel. 

Because the electrical line that illuminated the flag had to be cut during the dredging project, the flag was removed. 

The Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors then tried to install LED lights, but they were not bright enough, and it has been working on a permanent solution since. The project has been delayed because of the extensive permitting process required, according to Carol Baker, spokesperson for DBH.

The current lighting is still temporary though, and the county is working on a permanent solution that will shine a brighter light on the flag. 

The dredging project removed about 250,000 cubic yards of sand from the Marina del Rey channel, which was brought to Redondo Beach and Dockweiler to replenish the beaches. The channel is now about 20 feet deep during low tide, whereas before dredging commenced, the water level was at time just over two feet, according to the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department.