Coast Guard to step up enforcement of Oakland estuary

OAKLAND, Calif. - The US Coast Guard is set to step up its enforcement along the Oakland estuary, KTVU has learned.

Coast Guard Lt. SondraKay Kneen said starting in January, it will begin tagging abandoned or derelict boats along that waterway and patrolling more frequently.

People who own boats at marinas along the estuary said they've been complaining about abandoned vessels and even problems with piracy.

Anyone living on those boats would be connected with homeless services.

Oakland police will also start removing vessels that are on shorelines or run aground starting in February, the Coast Guard said.