British Columbia marinas have a reason to celebrate this National Marina Day. Four more marinas have achieved certification under Georgia Strait Alliance’s (GSA) Clean Marine BC (CMBC) program for their environmental best practices: Cedar Grove Marina in Sidney, Ladysmith Maritime Society Community Marina, Okeover Harbour Authority, and Vancouver Marina in Richmond. The designation recognizes industry leading marinas that meet GSA’s rigid environmental standards.

“Boaters love the ocean and our member facilities have all shown a strong commitment to sound environmental practices that protect our cruising waters,” says GSA’s Executive Director Christianne Wilhelmson. “These practices are having a tangible, positive impact on the marine environment and we couldn’t be more thrilled to recognize four more marinas with Clean Marine BC certification.”

One of the new accredited facilities, Vancouver Marina, is hosting a National Marina Day event on Saturday, June 13 between 10am and 3pm. GSA’s Clean Marine BC Program Coordinator, Michelle Young, will be presenting Vancouver Marina with their CMBC flag at 2pm.

“Vancouver Marina joined Clean Marine BC out of respect for the marine environment because we make our living on the water,” says Mike Short, Vancouver Marina’s Vice President and Marina Manager. “We do all we can to protect the ocean and foreshore, and get the message out to our customers to act as stewards of the marine environment here, and out on the water as well.”

Clean Marine BC is a voluntary environmental recognition program for marinas, harbour authorities, yacht clubs, and boatyards. Launched by GSA in 2007, the program helps boating facilities to improve upon and achieve excellence in environmental best practices. CMBC continues to grow, with a 23% increase in participation in the program in the last year; thirteen certified members representing nineteen marinas, yacht clubs, boatyards and wharfs are now part of the program. Another fourteen facilities have adopted the Clean Marine BC policy and are working towards certification.