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Maryland Clean Marinas Under Way 

Summer, 2015

 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!

 

~~~_/)  
Donna Morrow
Clean Marina Program Manager
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  One New Maryland Clean Marina!

 

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... 
    
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!

 

Clean Marina Tips for Summer

 

There are many ways marina staff and managers can do their part to prevent pollution during the busy summer months.  Here are just a few:
  1. Pumpouts:  Inspect pumpout equipment and ensure it's ready for high demand weekends.  Marinas with grant funded pumpouts must have a sign directing boaters to the pump or pedestal (provided by DNR) and can charge no more than $5 per pumpout (up to the first 50 gallons).
  2. Fuel Spill Kits:  Inspect fuel spill response kits.   Keep enough boom or "sweep" to encircle the largest boat typically berthed at the marina (boat length x 3 = boom length). Spill kits should be clearly labeled and kept in a prominent location. Request a free supply of oil-sorb pads for your customers from DNR by sending a request to:  [email protected]
  3. Staff Training:  Review emergency plans, spill kits, equipment and chemicals with staff each season.  Don't skip returning or permanent staff; training everyone each year is important. 
  4. Waste Containment and Disposal:  Make sure staff know it is everyone's job to pick up trash any time they see it on the grounds.  Set an example from the top down. Clearly direct visitors to dumpsters and recycling areas.  If you had never been to your marina, could you easily find these areas? Keep lids on trash cans to prevent trash from blowing out or attracting pests.

These are just a few ideas to keep marinas clean during summer operations.  Marina operators can find many more in the Maryland Clean Marina Guidebook. The Guidebook is available on line and hard copies are available by sending a request to  [email protected]  


Boat U.S. Foundation Offering Free Spill Response Training  fuel spill kit

 
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! 

Working Waterfronts Exchange June 18-You're Invited  

 

 working waterfront 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...
National Clean Marina Day-June 13   
  

Congratulations to Sassafras Harbor Marina in Georgetown, MD-the only marina in Maryland to have registered a National Marina Day event.  

 

This Saturday, marine businesses will collaborate to hold events to introduce the public to boating through on-water and land-side activities at marinas in every corner of the country. If your marina hosts an event, or if you want to learn more about what others around the country are doing, visit  nationalmarinaday.org    


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MTAM Summer Barbeque & Membership Event

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] 
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.