The Michigan Clean Marina Program has announced the addition of five local marinas to the Clean Marina certification list, while five others received their recertification. Being a Clean Marina means that the marina pledges to implement the best management practices that focus on being an environmental steward.
New certifications include Elba-Mar Boat Club in Grosse Ile; Indian River Marina in Indian River; Ottawa Beach Marina in Holland; Pine Lake Marina in West Bloomfield; and Sommerset Pointe Yacht Club in Boyne City. Their certifications will last three years.
The marinas that were recertified include East Jordan City Marina in East Jordan; Kean’s Marina in Detroit; MacRay Harbor in Harrison Township; and two Irish Boat Shop locations in Charlevoix and Harbor Springs. They have been recertified for another five years.
The recognition is becoming more and more important to Michigan boaters, according to a recent survey conducted by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, as 60% said they prefer to go to a certified marina.
“More boaters are becoming aware of the program and are searching out these facilities as places they want to patronize,” says Nicki Polan, executive director of the Michigan Boating Industries Association. “It is not difficult, and there are both financial and environmental gains that come with this effort.”
To learn more about the program, visit michiganseagrant.org/michigan-clean-marina-program.
Photo courtesy of Michigan Sea Grant/Flickr.
