Marina Harbor Anchorage has completed its rigorous process to become a California Clean Marina; it received its certification on September 16, 2009. The coveted designation is reserved for marinas that comply with the Clean Marinas California Program and implement environmentally friendly procedures that reduce boating’s impact on the environment.
The Clean Marinas California Program is a partnership of private marina owners, government marina operators and California yacht clubs working together to provide clean facilities to the boating community and protect the state’s water channels from pollution. The program strives to make all marinas in the Golden State compliant with the Clean Marinas California Program.
Marina Harbor Anchorage, located in Marina del Rey’s Basin A, is a progressive marina eager and prepared to do their part to keep Marina del Rey and the environment clean. According to Tim Leathers, head of the California Clean Marina Program, only 20% of all marinas in California are certified. Out of Marina del Rey’s 20 harbors, only three—including Marina Harbor Anchorage—are certified as a California Clean Marina. Once recognized, marinas maintain their certification for five years at which time they must repeat the certification process.
To be recognized as a California Clean Marina, harbors and yacht clubs must undergo scrupulous inspections based on a score sheet measuring a marina’s effectiveness in implementing best management practices. The score sheet is extensive ranging from emergency action plans, boater education courses, and fuel and oil spill prevention and containment plans to enforcement of local, state, and federal marine sanitation regulations and beyond.
