Clean Marinas
Beautiful waterways and seven miles of breathtaking beaches surround the City of Fort Lauderdale. Both residents and tourists flock to the City’s waterways for recreational activities which can be enjoyed year round. Boating is one of the City’s top industries and each year its popularity grows. Our city has earned the nickname "Yachting Capital of the World," and the annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show draws thousands of boaters, manufacturers, suppliers, on-board personnel and tourists to our sunny waters.
As Fort Lauderdale boating numbers continue to increase so does the impact on our natural aquatic resources and marine life. Local marinas can help reduce this impact by adopting best management practices outlined in the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Division's Clean Marina Program (CMP), and by teaching these to boaters. The City of Fort Lauderdale does just that.
Marine-related environmental and operational problems are typically addressed after they happen because boaters may not be aware of the environmental laws, rules and jurisdictions to which they must comply. The aim of the CMP is prevention and education. In addition to providing best practices for marinas, the CMP has been extended to boatyards and marine retailers. A recent extension of the program, the Clean and Resilient Marina Initiative, by the Gulf of Mexico Alliance, aims to strengthen marinas' abilities in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas to withstand natural and man-made disasters.
Clean Marina Designation
Part of the CMP is the Clean Marina Designation. This designation informs boaters that the designated marina has followed the specific, rigorous steps. The City of Fort Lauderdale made history when it became the first city to have three designated Clean Marinas: New River Marina/Downtown Docking, Las Olas Marina, and Cooley’s Landing Marina.
Upon registration at the City’s clean marinas, every boater receives a City of Fort Lauderdale guide to marine facilities and the FDEP Clean Boater Habits booklet which provide boaters with the information they need to operate a boat sustainably.
There are also eight privately owned Clean Marinas, boatyards and retailers in our city.
Becoming a Clean Marina requires application, mentoring and evaluation, as well as annual renewal by each designated facility. The benefits to our environment are critical. Clean Marinas help to prevent fuel spills, keep oil out of the water and even recycle oil, and remove debris from the water. Best management practices help to make marinas more efficient and to cut operating costs.
How You Can Get Involved
- Read the materials presented to you at our Clean Marinas and follow the recommended best practices
- Follow our Green Your Boating Routine tips
- Sign the Clean Boater Pledge and return it to FDEP at 3900 Commonwealth Boulevard, Tallahassee, FL 32399 or fax it to (850) 245-2159. You will received verification that you are a Clean Boater.
More Information
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) is the lead agency in our State for environmental management and stewardship protecting our air, water and land. The City of Fort Lauderdale is part of FDEP’s Southeast District. If you are a marina owner who is interested in becoming certified as a Clean Marina or a boater interested in learning more about protecting the City’s waterways, this website has extensive information for you.