Boat

What better way to get into the holiday spirit than by looking at all the festive homes and boats in Huntington Harbour decked to the hilt in lights, Santas, reindeer and menorahs. Revelers can see the sparkling lights and decorations for 10 days beginning Dec. 13. It's part of the Huntington Harbour Philharmonic Committee's 39th annual Cruise of Lights, which will take observers on a narrated boat tour through harbor waters, showcasing the decorated homes and boats.

The family of a Huntington Beach man who died in a boating crash has filed a lawsuit against the city, claiming negligence by officials. Shawn Wilson, 35, died June 27 after crashing into the Gilbert Drive Bridge over Shelter Channel in Huntington Harbour. Wilson was riding on his 12-foot, inflatable Zodiac boat with Caleb Steele, 30, and James Geekie during high tide at 1 a.m. Steele also died. Wilson’s wife, Deanna Wilson, filed the lawsuit Thursday. She previously filed a claim with the city in September, and his toddler and newborn filed claims with the city citing negligence for his death because the bridge’s I-beam was not properly illuminated, said the family’s attorney, Sarah Serpa.

The lights sparkled off homes and yachts big enough for movie stars as Elvis and others crooned Christmas favorites and the boat glided along the channel. People bundled up like marshmallows in puffy jackets, scarves and mittens oohed and awed as house after house went past on the Cruise of Lights on Tuesday. The Huntington Harbour Cruise of Lights is a 45-minute narrated boat cruise through Huntington Harbour organized by the Huntington Harbour Philharmonic Committee. The tour boats played festive music while kids drank hot chocolate and parents sipped on something stronger, and the driver, Capt.

The 12 Marina High School students and their six adult supervisors who took a teacher-organized spring break trip to Greece never expected to end up part of international news the day after touring the island of Crete. And they never expected to fear for their lives as they awaited rescue on a sinking cruise ship. But after a nerve-wracking experience Friday when their ship, the Sea Diamond, collided with volcanic rocks off the island of Santorini and sank, they're all back home safe and sound.

Ahoy. The question on everyone's minds lately is how to save fuel while boating, since fuel costs have risen dramatically. I usually answer: Simply hoist your sails and use the wind -- it's free. Then I'm told people are talking about a motor yacht, and raising the sails is not an option. Even then, I do have some recommendations to help save fuel, but it is hard to change someone's boating habits -- such as the need for speed. First, you should always keep your engines tuned by a boat mechanic, not a car mechanic, for optimal performance.

The summer season at Newport Beach came to a tragic end Labor Day weekend when a rip current claimed the life of a 46-year-old Anaheim man late Sunday. Lifeguards pulled Avelino Arellanes, 46, and a young woman from the water at 6:10 p.m. near the 28th Street jetty, where the the pair had been seen struggling in the strong current. Arellanes was transported to Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, where he was pronounced dead. The woman was treated at the scene but did not suffer serious injuries.

As the sun rose, Lindsey Eastman paddled through the Pacific Ocean, miles out to sea, salty water lapping in her face. For the past few hours she had been fighting a 102-degree body temperature, nausea, and exhaustion and she still had more than 30 miles to go. Regardless, the 22-year-old from Huntington Beach pulled herself through the water, stroke by stroke, until her hour was up. Gruelingly, Eastman lugged herself out of the water and into...

Omigosh -- owners of mega-dollar boats just learned that sea lions bark. Gadzooks -- let's get out the militia and shoot those inconsiderate beasts -- the sea lions, that is. That certainly would be a start in taking care of the "noise" problem for everyone around the bay. We just finished reading the article about barking sea lions. Million-dollar home and boat owners complain that sea lions bark during the night and destroy property. How sad their lack of judgment is. What were they thinking?

Danette Goulet Separately Donny Gray is a dedicated lifeguard and a wonderful teacher. But when his two lives come together -- it's just remarkable. So much so that the Huntington Beach resident was named seasonal lifeguard of the year in Newport Beach last week. "We don't have to look over his shoulder, he's just out there doing his duties to the best of his ability, but also training others out there to do their job to the best of their ability," said fire Captain John Blauer who heads Newport Beach's lifeguard division.