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Maryland Clean Marinas Under Way
Summer, 2015
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Greetings!
Summer is here at last. In this issue I hope you enjoy reading about:
- One new Clean Marina,
- Under Water Hull Cleaning Dos and Don'ts,
- Clean Marina Tips for Summer,
- Free Fuel Spill Response Training,
- Working Waterfronts, and
- National Marina Day
Please visit the website or contact me if you have questions. And remember, this could be the year your facility becomes a Clean Marina!
Clean Marina Program Manager
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Kent Island Marine Services is the newest Maryland Clean Marina certified by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The facility earned the award after taking the necessary steps to prevent pollution that result in more sustainable operations.
Kent Island Marine Service provides sales, parts, and service of power boats and engines. The facility is unique in the industry because it is not located on the water. Rather, boats are brought in on trailers for service. Most repair work is done indoors, in a controlled setting with appropriate pollution controls. There are now 155 Maryland Clean Marina certified facilities statewide. Read more...
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Under Water Hull Cleaning-- Diver Dos and Don'ts
Recent inquiries to DNR indicate some confusion about under water hull cleaning rules. No one may remove paint from a boat in the water. Scraping, chipping, use of power tools, or any practices that remove paint are not allowed. This applies to all U.S. waters under the Clean Water Act. Additionally, the Maryland General Permit for Discharges from Marinas explicitly prohibits washing boat bottoms painted with soft, ablative paints in the water. (Marine facilities involved in boat maintenance or repair are regulated by the Permit.) Removal of any paint while a vessel is in water is also prohibited. The Permit further requires slip holders, at the regulated facility, to use only contractors which abide by the best management practices of the Maryland Department of the Natural Resources' Clean Marina Initiative. Divers working at Permitted facilities must certify in writing to the marina office that they perform maintenance of boats under these best management practices. Resources and a Clean Diver Pledge are available at http://www.dnr.state.md.us/boating/cleanmarina/ The bottom line is that it is illegal for anyone to remove paint from a boat in the water. It is fine to wipe down hard paints/coatings or clear running gear, but no power tools, scraping, or other aggressive cleaning methods are allowed. So please, do your part to protect our waterways and spread the word! |
A new online course called "Spill Prevention and Response for Marina Staff" is now available at http://www.boatus.org/spill-prevention/ . The course features videos, interactive exercises and interviews with spill responders and marina managers. Designed to minimize risk to people, marinas, and the environment, this free training program was funded in part by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Give it a try!
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Working Waterfronts Exchange June 18-You're Invited
Boaters, watermen, coastal planners, marina operators ─ anyone interested in the preservation of Maryland's waterfronts ─ are invited to the Working Waterfronts Exchange on June 18 in Cambridge. Experts and guests will have the opportunity to share their ideas and experiences, and discuss the results of an economic study on the topic.
At the event, DNR's Chesapeake and Coastal Service will reveal the results of a six month business analysis of working waterfronts in Cambridge, as well as more information on the state's new Working Waterfronts Enhancement Program. Read more...
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June 16th the Marine Trades Association of Maryland will host its annual membership event at Port Annapolis Marina. From 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. enjoy refreshments and food while networking with others in your field. All MTAM members are encouraged to bring a prospective member. There is no cost for prospective members when accompanied by a member. Otherwise, the cost is $15 per person. Reserve space by sending the names of those attending to [email protected]
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Clean Marina Marketing
Clean Marina practices continue to make the news. In the latest issue of Marina Dock Age and Soundings Trade Only, special sections were dedicated to these topics. Visit Marina Dock Age on line and click "Read The Current Issue" then turn to page 35 to read the full article. |
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