THESE ARE A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE THINGS
Clean matters in Maryland
It’s true, Marylanders are very passionate people. At the top of residents’ “favorite things about Maryland list,” you will likely find the same things – blue crabs and the Chesapeake Bay (whether it be boating, fishing, crabbing, or swimming).
Therefore, it’s critically important for us to protect the environment where these things thrive. We at Atlantic Marinas, and our parent company, The Brick Companies, believe in being good stewards of the land where we live, work, and play.
What does “being a good steward of the land” mean?
All 3 individual properties of Atlantic Marinas are ‘Maryland Clean Marina certified.’ – Atlantic Marinas has adopted measures to control pollution and demonstrates conservation ethics related to healthy land and water. We adhere to a high set of pollution prevention standards established by the Maryland Clean Marina Committee and the Department of Natural Resources.
Check out what we have implemented to protect Maryland’s natural resources, as well as what you can do to support the effort:
- Shrink wrap recycling – Atlantic Marinas participates in the Marine Trades Association of Maryland (MTAM) shrink wrap recycling program, a significant element of the Clean Marina initiative. Reusable covers for winter storage are strongly encouraged to reduce plastic waste. If single use shrink wrap is used, Atlantic Marinas will provide bags to recycle.
- Debris disposal – Using environmental mats, debris resulting from haul out and launch operations at Atlantic Marinas is contained and restricted from flowing into the waterways. Particles of bottom paint are often mixed with organic matter that is removed from the boat’s hull during power washing, which is toxic to marine life.
- Bottom Service – The use of in-water divers for boat bottom cleaning is prohibited at Atlantic Marinas. By requiring boats to be hauled out for cleaning, Atlantic Marinas can capture the debris to prevent it from entering the waterways. Boaters are also encouraged to use modern copper-free bottom paints, as traditional paint is toxic to marine life.
- Oyster Gardening – Atlantic Marinas proudly participates in an annual oyster gardening program through the Magothy River Association and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Spat (tiny baby oysters growing on spent shells) batches are added to cages suspended under the marina docks. Once the oysters have grown, they are placed onto protected local oyster reefs, where they will improve the water quality.
- Floating Gardens – The Atlantic Marinas Patapsco and Magothy locations feature floating gardens, which are plant-filled platforms designed to support and improve shorelines. These gardens provide natural filtration and a habitat for local wildlife. A large aquatic vegetation garden can be found in the basin at our Atlantic Marinas Ferry Point location which provides erosion control, shelter for animals and marine life, as well as cleaning and filtering the water.
- Pump-out services – Atlantic Marinas provides onshore restrooms to allow boaters to minimize the use of their boat head. Free or low-cost pump-out services for holding tanks are offered at all three Atlantic Marinas properties.
The entire team at Atlantic Marinas are passionate about this cause and continually seek new ways to protect and enhance our waterways. We are very fortunate to do what we love daily, and we work hard to protect it.
So far, only 25 percent of Maryland’s estimated 600 marinas have been certified as Clean Marinas or Clean Marina Partners by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. We look forward to many more of our Marina partners making a commitment to protect Maryland’s waters and our future.
How can boaters make an impact?
Swimming, boating, and catching fish in clean water – sounds better, right? Boaters are encouraged to patronize certified Clean Marinas and to adopt clean boating habits. A few easy take-away tips include:
- Do not litter and always pick up litter when you see it.
- Follow laws regarding the discharge of sewage, chemicals, and debris.
- Think “recyclable.” When planning your day on the boat, pack food in reusable containers, buy products without plastic or excessive packaging (plastic is deadly to fish and birds) and purchase refreshments in recyclable containers (cans and glass).
- Do not toss cigarette butts overboard–they are made of plastic (cellulose acetate).
No matter the order of your “favorite things about Maryland list”, one thing is for sure…. The collective effort of individuals and businesses will improve the quality of Maryland’s waters.
Resources:
https://dnr.maryland.gov/boating/Pages/cleanmarina/home.aspx