Weighty sea lions sink boat

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (AP) - Sea lions are turning into unwelcome guests in Newport Beach harbor where the animals like to use moored boats to sunbathe on. Trouble is, they're too heavy.

Thursday night, the weight of a pair of basking sea lions sunk a 24-foot wooden boat, forcing officials to haul the vessel back to the surface.

Chris Miller of the city harbor department says boat owners try to "sea lion proof" their vessels by installing netting fences but the animals bust right through.

The problem has been getting worse over the past three years with increasing numbers of sea lions venturing into the harbor during the summer season. They pile on docks and bayfront homeowners' properties.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.