Posted on November 17, 2025
Oceanside officials are scrambling to clear a growing sandbar at the mouth of the city’s harbor after two recent capsizes showed just how fast the entrance can shoal and turn into a surf zone for unsuspecting boaters. City leaders say an off-cycle dredge could be on the calendar soon, with federal partners expected to cover the cost of the emergency work.
What the city proposed
According to The San Diego Union-Tribune, Oceanside Harbor Division Manager Joe Ravitch has requested emergency dredging of the harbor entrance to remove a shoal that officials now consider a serious navigation hazard. The plan would call on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to fund and oversee the work, allowing crews to reopen a cleaner channel and reduce the risk to both boats and swimmers.
Two recent rescues put the problem in plain view
Lifeguards and other rescuers pulled seven people from the water in two separate incidents earlier this month after vessels were hit by breaking surf near the harbor entrance. In the first case, on Nov. 2, a capsizing sent five people into the water, with three taken to the hospital for minor injuries. On Nov. 7, a 38-foot sailboat was knocked over while trying to enter the harbor, and both people on board were rescued without injury. The North Coast Current and other local coverage detailed the rescues and highlighted the quick response by Oceanside lifeguards and volunteer boaters.
Who would run the dredge, and how it is paid for
The Army Corps of Engineers manages annual maintenance dredging at Oceanside and normally pays for work that keeps the entrance navigable. The agency hires commercial contractors to operate the cutter-suction dredges that remove sand from the channel. In recent years, the Corps has teamed with Manson Construction on the project, and federal releases note that dredging keeps boats moving while also supplying much-needed sand to nearby beaches. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has overseen intake, contracting and sand placement logistics for Oceanside dredges in recent cycles.
Where the sand goes, and why timing matters
Sand pulled from the entrance is typically clean, beach-quality material that crews pump back onto Oceanside’s shoreline, often between the pier and the harbor. The result is a wider stretch of dry sand and a bit more breathing room when winter storms roll in. The City of Oceanside reports that the annual operation typically moves about 200,000 to 300,000 cubic yards of sand and is scheduled for spring, so pipes and equipment are removed before summer crowds arrive. When that schedule slips, sand and shoals can build in unexpected ways. The City of Oceanside’s harbor information outlines the typical timing, staging, and safety measures for dredge work.
Why the city is weighing a shift to fall dredging
Oceanside coastal staff say moving the regular dredge from spring to fall could make sand placement more predictable, provide beaches with a broader buffer heading into winter storms, and alleviate some seasonal permitting headaches. City officials argue that these changes would benefit both shoreline protection and navigation in the long run. The timing proposal is expected to be first presented to the Harbor & Beaches Advisory Committee, then to the city council early next year, as Oceanside seeks a more permanent solution to recurring shoaling at the harbor mouth. The San Diego Union-Tribune outlined the administration’s case for the shift and the upcoming hearings.
What boaters and beachgoers should know now
For now, officials are urging mariners to avoid the harbor entrance unless it is necessary and to use extreme caution when heading in or out. Lifeguards and harbor staff are closely monitoring conditions while investigators review the recent incidents. The Oceanside Fire Department and lifeguard unit remain the primary rescue crews at the harbor mouth, and local reports have credited both professional responders and nearby boaters for their swift action in the latest emergencies. The North Coast Current and city safety pages emphasize basics such as wearing life jackets, checking surf forecasts, and steering well clear of the jetties when the sea gets rough.
Officials say an off-cycle dredge could be scheduled as soon as a dredge and operator are available. Residents are being asked to keep an eye on City of Oceanside and Corps notices for firm dates and any changes to beach access. Until then, the message from the harbor is simple: treat the entrance with caution while the city and its federal partners work on both an emergency fix and a longer-term schedule to reduce future hazards.
