Clean and Resilient Marinas Are Setting the Standard

River Forest Yachting Centers in Moore Haven, Florida, hit a milestone this fall – earning the esteemed Clean and Resilient Marina designation, which is becoming the gold standard for marinas in the Sunshine State.

Many marinas are now working toward this goal – a designation put forth by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection in collaboration with the Clean Boating Partnership. Out of an estimated 2,800 marinas in the state, only 30 had earned this certification as of late January, but the numbers are steadily increasing. The initiative is especially important given the widespread impact of Hurricane Ian, which damaged or destroyed 7,000 boats in September 2022 – not to mention the devastation caused by hurricanes Helene and Milton two years later.

“Since our inception in 2008, we’ve been committed to environmentally conscious business practices,” said Tad Norris, the general manager of River Forest Yachting Centers. “From day one, our buildings were designed and constructed with state-of-the art pollution control systems, and we continuously upgrade those systems. This is just one way we help protect the delicate marine ecosystem that surrounds us.”

Located about 30 miles east of Fort Myers, River Forest is a premier yacht storage facility, offering a full range of services for boaters while upholding the highest standards of environmental responsibility and community engagement. Companies like River Forest have benefited from the Clean and Resilient Marina designation because it has illuminated their already forward-thinking approaches.

Regional Collaboration
In March 2013, the Clean and Resilient Marina Initiative was launched as a Gulf of Mexico Alliance project, with partners in Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. The program aims to significantly increase regional collaboration to enhance the ecological and economic health of the Gulf of Mexico. The initiative made it a priority to provide marina operators and owners with strategies and practices to better design, develop and manage their marinas before, during and after storms.

The program calls for the expansion of environmentally responsible operations and best management practices at marinas, and it provides recommendations for strengthening facilities in order to withstand natural and human disasters.

The costly hurricane seasons of 2004 and 2005 served as evidence of the importance of being prepared for the worst. Boat owners and marina operators, especially those along the coast of Florida, were urged to consider hurricane preparation as part of normal boat and marina maintenance. Just a few unprepared boats can inflict incredible damage on a marina during a storm, as can unsecured facilities and equipment.

When River Forest Yachting Centers earned the Clean and Resilient Marina designation in mid-August, it marked a major milestone in the company’s efforts to enhance the health of the marine ecosystem and the strength of its facilities to withstand disasters. Key achievements that contributed to this designation for River Forest included:

Advanced Pollution Control Measures: Implementation of state-of-the-art waste management systems and best practices for spill prevention and response

Climate Resilience Initiatives: A high level of hurricane and extreme weather preparedness, including an active Hurricane Response Team, storm-resistant measures and evacuation plans to ensure the facility’s longevity

Disaster Prevention and Mitigation: Adherence to best operating practices and procedures that ensure the safety of staff, clients and vessels from fire and other hazards

Community Engagement: Active education and outreach programs aimed at raising awareness about environmental issues and encouraging sustainable practices among boaters

“The designation is extremely important to us because it means, first, that we do business in a way that protects our beautiful waters for generations to come,” Norris said. “At the same time, we protect the yachts entrusted to our care as if they were ours.”

Two years ago, Hurricane Ian damaged or destroyed seven million boats, Norris added. River Forest’s location and safety measures were key during that hurricane, as the center had only a 3-inch increase in water levels, and its buildings suffered no damage.

“Not only that but our Hurricane Club – where vessels come in prior to a storm, we haul them out of the water and secure them by strapping them down – helped an additional 40 yacht owners avoid damage,” Norris said. “Not only do we care for the environment, but we also care very much for the investment yacht owners have made in their vessels.”

Ensuring a Healthy Future
So, why should other marinas aspire to this kind of eco-conscious approach? According to Norris, it should be built right into the day-to-day operations, so that everyone in the industry is working toward a common goal.

“We feel that being environmentally conscious is the only way to go. It’s simply being considerate of those who come after us,” Norris said. “Thinking about our children and grandchildren, and their children and grandchildren, we want to ensure the marine environment stays vibrant and healthy for them to enjoy. What you do today affects tomorrow, and we take that message to heart in all that we do.”

This environmental approach is critical for the future success of the marina industry. Marina owners are currently in the midst of a hyper-active hurricane season, with storms like Hurricane Helene hitting the Big Bend of Florida as a Category 4 hurricane and causing widespread devastation throughout the United States. Less than two weeks later, Hurricane Milton made landfall near Siesta Key, Florida, causing additional flooding and damage across the state.

With unprecedented storm surge levels and flooding concerns, it is more crucial than ever for leaders in the yacht and marina industries to fortify their facilities and implement the most eco-conscious practices available.
Benchmarks like the Clean and Resilient Marina designation inspire business owners to take significant action to protect their clients and their property, and now is the time.

“If all marinas, boat owners and yacht owners adopt an environmentally friendly approach, we will be able to preserve what we have here,” Norris said. “Florida is a wonderful place to boat, yacht and enjoy the abundant natural waterways, and we want to preserve that beauty for as long as it exists.”