Clean Marina Roundtable Meetings
Maryland marina operators and their staff are invited to attend an informal meeting to learn more about the Clean Marina Program. Mark your calendar now!
Jan 13 Georgetown
Jan 15 Annapolis
Feb 12 Solomons
All meetings will run from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at no charge. Invitations with complete details will be mailed to marinas next week.
Space is limited, so advance registration is necessary. For more information or to request an invitation, email [email protected] |
International Marina & Boatyard Conference
January 25-28, 2009 Ft. Lauderdale--IMBC is where industry professionals gather to exchange information, talk about the future of the marina and boatyard industry, explore new methods and techniques, receive updates on revised standards and established rules, and see what's happening in other parts of the country.
Approximately 130 exhibitors and 600 participants make the sessions and field trip lively and interesting.
Space is still available. To view the agenda or to register visit
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Dear ,
We hope you will soon be enjoying the relative peace and quiet that winter brings as you regroup for another year.
If your marina, boatyard, or yacht club is not yet a certified Clean Marina, we encourage you to attend a Clean Marina Roundtable in January or February. These short sessions will allow you to meet the program staff and talk to managers of Clean Marinas near you. Invitations with full details will be mailed soon--amidst the holiday cards--so keep an eye out. Operators of certified Clean Marinas are invited to attend a roundtable and network with those considering joining the program.
As always, your story ideas and feedback on this newsletter are welcome. Simply send an email to [email protected]. If you know someone who can benefit from this newsletter, we encourage you to forward it to them.
Donna Morrow
Editor
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A New Maryland Clean Marina!
September 22, 2008 the West Basin Marina located at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station became the 110th certified Maryland Clean Marina. Together with 23 smaller facilities designated as Clean Marina Partners, Maryland now boasts 133 certified facilities. Above, manager Frank Pace displays his Clean Marina sign. The West Basin Marina is operated by the Navy's department of Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) for naval personnel and their families. This is the second MWR facility in the region certified as a Clean Marina. The other is Point Patience, across the Patuxent River in Solomons, MD. West Basin Marina offers 125 slips, a junior sailing program and club, sailboat rentals, a pumpout, and a 'do it yourself' repair yard. The marina plans to build a new fuel dock in the next year. To meet the Clean Marina criteria, marina manager Frank Pace worked with several other units on the base including the compliance division and the emergency response team, to ensure clear communication and understanding of responsibilities. Additionally, the marina strictly controls work allowed by boat owners in the yard and continually works to educate boaters on pollution prevention practices. Additionally, staff pressure washes boats in a carefully controlled location which allows collection of contaminants. The MD Clean Marina Initiative, which is coordinated in partnership with the Marine Trade Association of MD, promotes voluntary adoption of pollution prevention measures and seeks to certify at least 25 percent of Maryland's marinas. The program offers confidential assistance on technical issues and regulatory compliance to marine facilities of any size.
Certified Clean Marinas receive free promotion on the program's website, at regional boat shows, and in several regional boating publications. Clean Marinas also receive permission to use the Clean Marina logo in their advertising as well as a sign and a flag to denote their status.
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Store Fuel at Your Marina?
Marinas that store 1,320 gallons or more of petroleum (in any form) above ground, or 42,000 gallons or more below ground, are required by federal regulation to have a "Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure Plan." As a result of years of outreach on this important issue, many Maryland marinas are in compliance and now have an "SPCC" Plan.
It is important to note that the regulation requires the facility manager to document a review of the SPCC plan every five years or in event of a spill. Marina managers subject to this regulation should confirm they have an SPCC plan and document a review by simply attaching a note, on letterhead, indicating they have reviewed their plan and find it to be satisfactory.
The review can note basic changes such as updates to staff names or phone numbers. Any significant or technical changes to the plan may require the certification of a Professional Engineer.
Marinas that need to develop an SPCC plan but do not have one, can obtain a free template on the Clean Marina website. The Clean Marina program also can pay for services of a P. E. for marinas participating in the program, when they are required.
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Seasonal Clean Marina Practices
Winter is the perfect time to regroup and decide what can be improved for next season. Below is a list of several projects perfect for winter:
1. Review marina or yard rules, concentrating on environmental issues for both customers and outside contractors. The MD Clean Marina Guidebook offers sample contract language that any marina or boatyard can borrow.
2. Organize topics for staff training including safety and environmental concerns. The MD Clean Marina Guidebook has a free template to assist and program staff can provide other materials upon request.
3. Review and update the marina's emergency response plans. Be sure to call the responders included in the plan to confirm accurate phone numbers.
4. Create fuel dock signs that not only provide clear safety instructions, but clean marina practices as well.
5. Create or improve the signs at the recycling area to guide customers in keeping the area neat and clean. Clean up and inspect the area for next season.
6. If your marina has a newsletter, dedicate a "green" or "Clean Marina practices" column that will help customers make informed environmental choices regarding your facility and their boating practices. Tailor it to environmental practices suited to the specific time of year. The Clean Marina website has many free resources as well.
7. Build rain barrels using clean, empty anti-freeze drums. This may be a fun project or competition for the "younger" slipholders.
8. Build or purchase a pet waste bag dispenser, and stock it with recycled plastic bags.
Operating a facility with pollution prevention in mind at all times is the best way to minimize the risk of accidents. This risk minimization is why many marine insurance underwriters now offer up to a 10 percent discount for certified Clean Marinas.
The Clean Marina staff is available to assist marina operators in learning more about any of the topics above. Additional resources are available in the Clean Marina Guidebook and on the program website. Back to Top | |
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