San Diego officials are cracking down on an illegal float party held each July on Mission Bay, sending the organizers a $54,000 invoice to cover lifeguard rescues and crowd control by police and park rangers.
The goal of the invoices is to discourage organizers from hosting a fifth annual Festival of Floats, an event where hundreds of people congregate on flotation devices in Mission Bay’s northwest corner.
City officials say the event, where many participants drink alcohol, is chaotic, dangerous and typically requires many rescues and extreme vigilance by police and rangers.
There is no admission charge for the event, which is called “Floatopia” by some participants. But organizers, who promote the event on various social media platforms, include links to buy floats and other related products.
City officials say they’re confident they sent the invoice to the right people because they’ve been working with organizers since spring 2023 to help them potentially get permits needed for the event.
Two women identified by the city as the organizers did not respond to emails from the Union-Tribune asking for a comment on the city invoice and the situation in general.
In a letter the city sent to the organizers on Feb. 5 along with the invoices, city officials explain that the organizers are not exempt from liability just because they don’t charge admission and don’t coordinate music and vendors.
“As discussed with you in 2024 and 2023, when a special event is conducted without a special event permit and one is required, or an event is conducted in violation of the terms of an issued Special Event Permit, the event organizer shall be responsible for all city costs incurred for personnel and equipment for a public safety response caused or necessitated by the adverse impacts of the event,” the letter says.
The city says the fourth annual Festival of Floats, which was held July 27 last summer, required 24 lifeguard rescues, four loud music shutdowns, 37 “voyage terminations,” two impounds, 16 alcohol citations and seven warnings for smoking illegally in a park.
The total bill of $54,482 includes $39,338 for police, $10,555 for lifeguards, $4,320 for park rangers and $269 for staff in the city’s special events office.
“Unpermitted events in the open water create a dangerous situation for the public and lifeguards,” Lifeguard Chief James Gartland said last week of the float festival. “The unplanned addition of large crowds and vessels on the water make it extremely challenging to observe the water and prevent drownings and injuries.”
Gartland said a dangerous rescue of three juveniles was required during one of the festivals.
City Councilmember Jennifer Campbell, whose district includes Mission Bay, said the organizers must suffer the consequences of their bad decisions.
“It is concerning that the organizers chose to move forward with this event despite not having the proper permits and being warned that they would be fined for the use of any city personnel that would be needed for rescue operations,” Campbell said. “Actions have consequences and the organizers must now adhere to the repercussions of their irresponsible decision.”
It seems highly unlikely the organizers will ever get a permit.
Large events are banned in Mission Bay Park between Memorial Day and Labor Day. But even if the event is moved outside that window, special event permits are doled out by lottery and require approval from city lifeguards and the Mission Bay Park Committee.
City officials say their primary goal is preventing future festivals, not getting reimbursement. But they told the organizers the bill will go to city collections if not paid by March 10, and they said failure to pay could affect the credit reports of the organizers.
The festival is typically held between Santa Clara and San Rafael places, south of the Catamaran Hotel.
