The Maine Clean Boatyards & Marinas Program (MCBMP) added another facility to its growing list of Designated Clean Marinas with the presentation of the flag and certificate of designation to Maine Yacht Center in Portland.

On a perfect summer day Portland Harbor found more to celebrate than just the weather as the Clean Marinas flag was run up the newly installed flag pole at Maine Yacht Center for the first time. “It is such a joy to see this flag flying here at MYC” said Susan Swanton, MCBMP Program Manager. “Although this facility is still fairly new, there was still work to be done to achieve the high standards of the program and Brian and everyone here at the marina worked hard to make it happen.” According to Brian Harris, MYC General Manager “the facility was designed with a number of best management practices in mind, but as time progressed and regulations changed there were some things that we needed to improve on to achieve our goal. It’s important to us to be good corporate citizens by protecting the environment that we rely on for our work.” Maine Yacht Center is a full service boatyard and marina offering major repair and refit services along with winter storage and seasonal slip rentals.

The purpose of the program is to curb pollution resulting from stormwater runoff, boat maintenance, fueling activities, waste storage and disposal and sewage. In order to qualify as a Maine Clean Boatyard & Marina a facility must demonstrate a high level of compliance in each of the five program areas. Participation in the Maine Clean Boatyards & Marinas Program is voluntary, with participating companies signing a pledge, completing a self-assessment and then inviting an independent verification team to inspect the facility. The Maine Clean Boatyards & Marinas Program is sponsored by the Maine Marine Trades Association with assistance from the Maine Dept. of Environmental Protection and the Maine Coastal Program. For more information about the Program please visit www.mainemarinetrades.com/clean_marinas.