In 2024, the planning, organization, and administration by the Consortium of two South Carolina Clean Marina training workshops is estimated to have provided an economic benefit of $34,773 based on registration-fee savings, travel costs, and opportunity costs of time.
The Consortium has been the coordination lead for the South Carolina Clean Marina certification program since 2021. The program is a partnership between the Consortium, S.C. Department of Natural Resources, S.C. Department of Environmental Services’ Bureau of Coastal Management, and Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service to protect and improve water quality by reducing pollution from marinas. A Technical Advisory Committee composed of six marine industry partners provides guidance and assistance with training workshops and site inspections. Currently, 20 marinas are certified as Clean Marinas, and most are located in South Carolina.
To be certified in this voluntary program, marinas pay a modest fee of $250, which helps cover the cost of training, inspection, and certification material. Marinas must meet certain guidelines related to facility design; marina management; emergency planning; fuel control; proper sewage and waste disposal; stormwater control; habitat protection; and boater education. Once certified, a marina is provided a certificate and a flag to let boaters know they are protecting water quality, following environmental regulations, and have a genuine appreciation of the waterways.
For more information on this program, contact April Turner at (843) 953-2073.
St. Johns Yacht Harbor on Johns Island, S.C., is a certified Clean Marina. Photo: Shelly McComb, former Clean Marina intern.