‘Operation Clean Sweep’ Combines Volunteers & Environmental Groups to Remove Harbor Waste

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The annual effort to remove discarded items from the Santa Barbara Harbor is taking place Saturday and it is expected to bring significant waste to the surface.

The event is known as "Operation Clean Sweep."

It takes place Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in front of the Harbor Boat Launch Ramp by Marina 4.

The Waterfront Department says a team of volunteer divers — backed by about 30 dockside volunteers — will head beneath Marina 4 to clear out underwater junk. Divers locate the debris, dock volunteers haul it up, and it is put into a Marborg dumpster.

Lunch will be provided for the volunteers.

Over the years the “Clean Sweepers” have removed more than 26 tons of debris from the harbor. Past finds include everything from bicycles, barbeques, plastic barrels, and boat propellers to wire cages, outboard engines, phones, computers, and  at times a marine battery. 

This effort is led by the City of Santa Barbara Waterfront Department, alongside volunteers from Salty Dog Dive Service, Commercial Fishermen of Santa Barbara, SB Channelkeeper, SB Maritime Museum, SB Sail and Power Squadron, and Tidy Seas.

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