A Passion for Protection

Owners of the Boston Yacht Haven Inn & Marina, the Lagasse family, are avid boaters and passionate about protecting the oceans. That’s according to general manager Jack Betts, who said that passion has trickled down to management and staff and raised awareness of how crucial it is to protect waterways. The love of the water that has been fostered is why the team works so hard to keep it clean and why the marina won the 2024 Marina of the Year Environmental Responsibility award.

The Lagasse family has owned the property since 2009, and Betts has been the general manager for the past eight years. He works alongside dockmaster Will Conway and marketing manager Macy Jones, who shared their goals, strategies and day-to-day efforts to keep Boston Harbor from returning to its infamous polluted past.

In the Heart of Boston
The 100-slip marina can accommodate boats up to 400 feet and offers transient and full-season dockage. Its customers range from superyachts that travel the world to residents of the north and south shores of Boston. Situated at the end of historic Commercial Wharf, the marina is centrally located but also offers a quiet and secluded setting. “It’s important for us to preserve this history, so the owners and managers are very involved in community groups that are working to combat flooding and build resiliency plans to protect the neighborhood,” Betts said. The marina and inn are also a part of the city’s 43-mile long public Harborwalk meaning the public is welcome to enjoy the property and the views.

The marina is collaborating with both local and international organizations to prevent coastal flooding in the city’s low-lying areas using different practices from seawall barriers and wave attenuators to urban drainage plans. The property was designed with steel/concrete hybrid floating docks, with elevated piles. To resist rising tides, the property was built 2 feet higher than the beginning of the pier.

In recognition of their efforts, the marina owners were recently awarded the “Harbor Hero” award from Save the Harbor/Save the Bay. The award is given to a person or group who meets the mission of cleaning up the harbor and creating public access. “Our long-term plans to combat coastal flooding include working with organizations to allow us to build harbor walks with seawalls,” Betts said.

On-Site Actions
On a more daily basis, the Boston Yacht Haven group takes deliberate steps to ban single-use plastics on site, sell and use only green products and contract with clean energy suppliers. Customers have the option to participate in their shrink wrap recycling program to allow these plastics to be repurposed. They have introduced compostable coffee pods, and there are water stations to fill bottles scattered throughout the marina.

Customers notice. “Visitors to our property feel good that their visit with us is going to limit their negative impact on the environment,” Betts said. “We get comments on how we deliberately take steps to reduce the marina’s carbon footprint.” Marina staff ensure their efforts are known by regularly posting on Boston Yacht Haven’s website about their initiatives and how they are being proactive in dealing with climate and environmental issues.

While new hires are introduced to the importance of environmental stewardship, management recognizes the value of extending other training opportunities to anyone who shows an interest in advancing within the marine or hospitality profession. “We encourage employees to take advantage of the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association (MMTA) programs and annual conference. These are good opportunities to share what you’re going through with others in a similar job and know you have a whole network to turn to get through different situations together,” Betts said. “MMTA shows there’s so much more behind the scenes, especially in the trades, that could be a year-round job and not just seasonal.”

Managers also cross-train employees from the on-site inn and the marina, allowing them to explore everything from housekeeping and catching lines to administration and management. “We offer this because you might not realize your potential until you’re trained in it,” Betts said. “We plug them into industries, and we help people build careers.”

There’s More to Do
Betts said it was great to be recognized with the Environmental Responsibility award for what Boston Yacht Haven is doing, and it helps motivate him to continue teaching and coaching others and finding more opportunities to continue sustainability efforts. “I feel like we’ve only scratched the surface of how much can be done to improve the industry and preserve and protect our oceans and environment,” he said.

Conway echoes his sentiment. “The award gives recognition to other properties that making efforts towards the goal of cleaner harbors does make an impact and is seen,” he said.

For Jones, the award is a milestone but also motivation as she sees the inn and marina are far from the finish line. “All these things we talk about, it’s not things we do in hopes of receiving awards,” she said. “It is because it’s the right thing to do.”