Chesapeake Bay News

At the 10th Annual Clean Marina Awards Ceremony held at Clark’s Landing Shady Oaks Marina in southern Anne Arundel County, ten marinas received Governor’s Citations praising their accomplishment of becoming a certified clean marina.  The award ceremony was timed to coordinate with National Marina Day, August 9 to recognize marinas as family friendly gateways to boating and stewards of the environment.

“The voluntary efforts of clean marina owners and managers to reduce pollution and help protect our rivers and the Chesapeake Bay are truly commendable,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “The bay-friendly operations offered by each of these local businesses exemplify the role we all play to preserving this natural treasure.  Action is needed across the State to ensure healthy water and land, and these marinas are to be commended for doing their part.”

Marinas are certified by DNR as a Maryland Clean Marina after they adopt recommendations in the Maryland Clean Marina Guidebook and pass a site inspection by DNR and industry representatives.

“Our livelihood – boating – depends on a healthy Chesapeake Bay,” said Bob Brandon, Owner of Tidewater Yacht Service Center in Baltimore City. “We have to do all that we can to preserve the bay to ensure continued quality boating experiences for today and tomorrow. From the beginning construction of our facility – we strived to build an environmentally-friendly boating center.”

The newly certified clean marina Tidewater Yacht Service Center incorporates many green building features and operations including a living green roof; environmentally-friendly products for sale; and a special water drainage system in the parking lot to prevent run-off from polluting the bay.

Since its establishment in 1997, the Maryland Clean Marina Initiative has certified 130 marinas. The initiative, coordinated in partnership with the Marine Trades Association of Maryland, promotes voluntary adoption of pollution prevention measures.

The following ten newly certified Clean Marinas received Governor’s Citations today:

Anchor Yacht Basin, Edgewater (Anne Arundel County)
Atlantic Marina, Pasadena (Anne Arundel County)
Baltimore Marine Center, Baltimore City
Buzz’s Marina, Ridge (St. Mary’s County)
Cedar Hill Marina, Bivalve (Wicomico County)
Chesapeake Yacht Club, Shady Side (Anne Arundel County)
Clark’s Landing , West River (Anne Arundel County)
Riverside Marine, Baltimore (Baltimore County)
Tidewater Yacht Service Center, Baltimore City

A tour of the Clark’s Landing Shady Oaks Marina following the ceremony showcased some of the best management practices implemented to become a clean marina including: oil filter recycling; an emergency spill response kit; a sewage pump-out station; a waste management plan for chemicals; and native plantings.

“The Clean Marina Initiative is a great sustainable business effort that benefits the health of our environment, waterways, and local business,” said Jeff Truesdale, Managing Partner at Clark’s Landing. “We are honored that all of Clark’s Landing waterfront facilities in Maryland are certified clean marinas.  Each of our employees are specially trained to encourage our boaters to use clean boating practices.”

With more than 25 years of experience, Clark’s Landing is proving to be a sustainable leader in the marine industry by encouraging boaters and sailors to commit to clean boating habits. Clark’s Landing has locations in Maryland, Virginia and New Jersey offering new and certified pre-owned boat sales, service, storage, parts and boat brokerage.

A complete list of certified Clean Marinas and program information can be found at www.dnr.maryland.gov/boating.

Virginia’s Biggest In-Water Boat Show Returns to Downtown Norfolk Waterfront September 12 – 14, 2008

NORFOLK, Va. – May 14, 2008 – The 4th annual Virginia In-Water Boat Expo and SAILFEST returns to the Downtown Norfolk waterfront, September 12-14, 2008. As the state’s largest in-water boating exhibition, this growing event caters to every boating enthusiast, who along with their friends and family can enjoy a wide selection of the newest boats and cutting edge marine products and accessories, all in one place for the best deals all year round.

This three-day boating spectacular will showcase hundreds of the latest in luxury and cruising yachts, sport fishers, bass boats, performance boats, personal water craft, sailboats, engines, and marine accessories. The Expo will also feature live entertainment nightly, interactive exhibits and a Discover Boating pavilion, where experts will be on-site to provide unbiased information for novice boating enthusiasts and the most experienced of boaters.

Hours are Friday, from noon to 8 p.m., Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $10.00 for adults and $8.00 for military personnel and their spouses. Children 15 and under are FREE. Tickets are good for same-day re-entry with display of wristband. Take advantage of the $2.00 per ticket discount through Thursday, September 11, when you purchase your ticket online at VirginiaBoatExpo.com.

For advance tickets and show information, visit www.VirginiaBoatExpo.com or call 757-441-2345.

Sponsors of the 2008 Virginia In-Water Boat Expo and SAILFEST include TowneBank, Jeep, Discover Boating, Boaters World Marine Center, Geico and the City of Norfolk.

The Virginia In-Water Boat Expo and Sailfest is co-produced by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and Norfolk Festevents. NMMA is the world’s largest producer of boat shows and the leading association representing the $37.6 billion per year recreational boating industry. NMMA member companies produce more than 80 percent of the boats, engines, trailers, accessories and gear used by boaters and anglers in the U.S. For more information about the NMMA, visit www.NMMA.org. Norfolk Festevents, LTD is a private not-for-profit organization dedicated to producing premier concerts, festivals, ship visits and special events and city celebrations for residents and guests of Hampton Roads. Celebrating its 26th season, Norfolk Festevents has garnered international acclaim for its outstanding quality programming. Norfolk Festevents is the official event marketing and production agency for the City of Norfolk.

The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) is observing National Safe Boating Week through May 23 to highlight the need for boaters to wear a life jacket at all times while on the water as well as abide by other safety precautions.

“Safe boating saves lives,” said Col. George F. Johnson, NRP Superintendent. “When you boat in Maryland, remember to practice safe and responsible boating, always wear your life jacket, and be alert and aware while on the water.”

On average a dozen people die each year in boating-related incidents on Maryland waterways, most of which could have been prevented had a lifejacket been worn. Last year, Maryland saw an increase in fatalities, from eight in 2006 to ten in 2007, and injuries went from 163 to 208. Records show that the majority of accidents are the result of wake and/or excessive speed, reckless or negligent operation and operator inexperience or inattention.

Nationwide, 3,474 injuries and 710 fatalities resulting from boating-related accidents were reported in 2006. Overall, two-thirds of all fatal boating accident victims drowned. Of those who drowned, 90 percent of the victims were not wearing their life jacket. Eight out of every ten boaters who drowned were using boats less than 20 feet in length.

source: DNR press release

The Friends of Anne Arundel Trails, Inc. will present a three-party Maryland Basic Boating Safety Course from 7 to 10 p.m. April 7, 11 and 14 at the Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company’s top floor meeting room, 161 Ritchie Highway in Severna Park. The course provides an overview of the rules and fundamentals of safe boating. Pre-registration is required and must be made in person at the B & A Trail Park Office, 51 West Earleigh Heights Road, Severna Park.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has a new self-paced and user-friendly online boating safety course which enables boaters to earn their certification from the comfort of their home.  Anyone born on or after July 1, 1972, must have a certificate of boating safety education while operating any motorized vessel.  To begin the online course visit http://www.boat-ed.com/md/index.htm.