Sea lion invaders have law on their side

They have broken windows, sunk a boat and their barking keeps Newport Beach harbor residents awake all night.

But the more than 40 sea lions that have made southern California's ritzy Newport Beach their home have the law on their side. As a protected species under a 1972 U.S. federal law, they cannot be killed, harmed, or even harassed.

In an effort to find the ultimate place to sun themselves, the sea lions have taken up residence in yachts, sailboats and fishing vessels in the small harbor that boasts multimillion dollar houses on one side and quaint beach shops on the other.

"Last week, so many of them piled on a sailboat that it sank. The Harbor Patrol was out here trying to use water to get them off, but it didn't work," said Doug Turin, owner of Newport Harbor Boat Rentals.