N.Y. Sea Grant helps promote clean boating

OSWEGO, N.Y. – All Coast Guard Auxiliary and U.S. Power Squadron units as well as 260 marinas across upstate New York State are now receiving clean boating packets to help them reduce pollution in the state’s waters, according to a recent release from New York Sea Grant.

The packets contain information and free products that marina operators and boating educators can use to implement best practices for preventing and reducing pollution.

New York Sea Grant is partnering with the US Coast Guard Auxiliary Division 2, the Boating Industries Association of Upstate New York, the National Clean Boating Campaign and the Marine Environmental Education Foundation to distribute packets.

The packets include:
– Information on new techniques and environmentally friendly boat cleaning products.
– Information on a grant program that would help marinas install pumpout and dump stations and increase their use.
– National Clean Boating Campaign information from the Marine Environmental Education Foundation.
– Information on National Marina Day, a program of the Marina Operators of America Association.
– A bilge sock and fuel nozzle bib that can be shown to boaters to raise awareness of two simple, inexpensive ways boaters can prevent or reduce petroleum discharges.

“New York Sea Grant and its partners began this program a year ago with four marinas on various waters in New York State,” said David G. White, marine facility specialist for New York Sea Grant. “The response from the marina operators and their boaters was so positive that we have now expanded the program to include 260 marinas statewide.”

To learn more about clean and safe boating practices and best practices for marinas, visit www.nysmarina.org or contact White at 315-312-3042.

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