Michelle Young
There are now 32 Clean Marine BC-certified facilities. Ten have achieved a Top Five-Anchor Rating.
Words by Michelle Young
“Waterways are interconnected and by working with facilities beyond the Strait of Georgia, we are reinforcing the value and impact of the Clean Marine BC program on keeping waterways healthy.” — Chrisitanne Wilhelmson Executive Director, Georgia Strait Alliance
By partnering with boating facilities and recreational boaters, Georgia Strait Alliance is expanding the effectiveness of its marine conservation efforts as it works to continuously works to protect BC’s waterways.
Through the Clean Marine BC program, Georgia Strait Alliance partners with boating facilities to help reduce the impact of recreational boating on the environment. It was developed to support the growing number of recreational boaters and boating facilities to better understand how boating could be enjoyed with less of an impact on the marine environment.
Today, an increasing number of boating facilities appreciate that there are business and operational benefits that can result from making improvements to their environmental practices on their docks, along the shore, and in the adjacent waters.
“Our program has shown that when boating facilities implement environmental best practices it’s good for the waterways and the shoreline – and it’s good for business,” says Georgia Strait Alliance’s executive director Chrisitanne Wilhelmson.
The Clean Marine BC flag recognizes facilities that run their businesses with high standards for environmental protection. This gives boaters the awareness and the choice to support businesses that are committed to environmental protection. It also minimizes their impact when they get out onto the water to experience the enjoyment of the ocean, rivers and lakes.
Around and Beyond The Strait
Clean Marine BC, a voluntary eco-certification for boating facilities, is now reaching new marinas around the Strait of Georgia. Clean Marine BC has been visiting facilities on the Lower Mainland, Thetis Island, Pender Island, and Vancouver Island to raise awareness and introduce them to the program. As a result, even more marinas have joined Clean Marine BC.
The luxurious Victoria International Marina recently opened its doors as the first facility that has used the recommended best practices of Clean Marine BC during its construction phase.
Meanwhile, on the mainland, Lions Gate Marina is the first facility in North Vancouver to earn eco-certification in the Clean Marine BC program. The Royal Vancouver Yacht Club has also certified all nine of its facilities located around the Strait.
There are currently 32 Clean Marine BC-certified facilities, including ten that have achieved the distinction of a Top Five-Anchor Rating. We’ve also seen our first non-coastal boating facility join the program, as the Kelowna Yacht Club now earned and proudly flies its Clean Marine BC flag.
Michelle Young
Clean Marine BC has now reached out to mid-Vancouver Island marinas to raise awareness about its program.
Guide to Green Boating
This must-have guide provides tips for recreational boaters. Its informative topics range from managing sewage responsibly and boat maintenance, to preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species and whale watching regulations.
Recreational boaters far and wide can benefit from this useful resource, which is now available in French. Many Canadian Power and Sail Squadron representatives seized the opportunity to pass along the guide to their members at its Annual General Meeting in Victoria last fall, further passing along informative and insightful information.
You can find your copy at Georgia Strait Alliance’s booth at boat shows around the Strait, including the Vancouver International Boat Show February 5-9, 2020, or by contacting our office at www.gerogiastrait.org.
Michelle Young is coordinator of Georgia Strait Alliance’s Clean Marine BC, a voluntary marina eco-certification and green boating program.
Scott Lang