Bert Jabin's Yacht Yard Is A Certified Clean Marina

Bert Jabin's Yacht Yard in Annapolis has met the rigorous pollution prevention standards established by Maryland's Clean Marina Committee and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), as part of the agency's Clean Marina Initiative (CMI). Bert Jabin's is the 18th marina in the state to achieve Clean Marina status.

CMI promotes and celebrates voluntary adoption of measures to reduce pollution from marinas and recreational boats. "Certified Clean Marinas have something to teach all of us," said Clean Marina Coordinator Elizabeth Fuller Valentine. "Bert Jabin's Yacht Yard and the other marinas embody the conservation ethic: individual responsibility for healthy land and water. Just as importantly, they are demonstrating that business interests can be compatible with environmental protection."

Each of the 18 Clean Marinas has implemented measures to control pollution associated with vessel maintenance and repair; petroleum storage and transfer; sewage disposal; solid, liquid and hazardous wastes; storm water runoff; and facilities management.

Owner Rod Jabin and his staff are committed to protecting Maryland's waterways. "Over the years our operations have expanded a lot. In my mind that includes the responsibility of caring about the environment around us as we've grown. We take the removal of solvents, oil, antifreeze and trash very seriously here, and the marina is just a nicer place for our customers to visit as a result."

Recognized Clean Marinas may use the Clean Marina logo in their advertising and on their letterhead. They also receive a flag to fly from their facility, a page on the Clean Marina web site (www.dnr.state.md.us/boating), and promotion in Clean Marina publications.

Gateway Marina and Ship's Store, Knapps Narrows Marina, Campbell's Town Creek Boatyard and Campbell's Bachelor Point Yacht Company are striving to protect the resource that supports the recreational boating industry in Maryland: clean water. By signing the Clean Marina Pledge, owners and managers from each facility have committed to do their part to "keep Maryland's waterways free of harmful chemicals, excess nutrients and debris." To date, ninety-four boating facilities in Maryland have taken the Clean Marina Pledge.

The Bay Ridge Civic Association in Annapolis is the first community organization in Maryland to sign the Clean Marina Pledge.

Signing the Clean Marina pledge is the first step toward receiving recognition as an environmentally-responsible marina. So far, 89 marinas have taken the pledge. The initiative's organizers hope to convert all those pledges into Clean Marina certifications. There are approximately 600 marinas in Maryland and the CMI's goal is to certify 150 of those as Clean Marinas by 2004.

For more details about the Maryland Clean Marina Initiative, call DNR at (877) 620-8DNR, ext. 8770 or check DNR's website at www.dnr.state.md.us/boating.

Posted: 8-23-2000