Sentosa Cove Singapore wins international accreditation

by Colin Bransgrove MIAA on 12 Nov 2011 Sentosa Cove has been accorded the world’s first accreditation for a Residential Canal Estate Marina, even as it scored for being a Clean Marina.

The international recognition went out to the 117-hectare waterfront residential precinct located on Sentosa, Singapore’s island resort destination for achieving high standards in environmental practices.

The Gold Anchor Residential Canal Estate Marina and Clean Canal accreditations fall under the International Rating System by the Marina Industries Association of Australia (MIAA). Programmes for these accreditations encourage environmental compliance and use of the best management practices by marinas. The MIAA Clean Marina programme is endorsed by the International Council of Marine Industry Association’s (ICOMIA).

'Sentosa Cove has become a benchmark for other residential canal estate marinas around the world', said Andrew Chapman, President of MIAA. 'In achieving the 5 Gold Anchor rating, Sentosa Cove underwent a rigorous process which involved a detailed 80-point desk top and site audit that encompassed areas such as design and construction, facilities and services, environment, planning, management and operations.'

Sentosa Cove will have to live up to its newly-attained marina rating, when ‘mystery checks’ are conducted by MIAA over a three-year period.

MIAA’s Gold Anchor International Rating Scheme for marinas was launched in 2009 and has targeted marina users in the Asia Pacific. Since then, Marina at Keppel Bay (Singapore), Anchorage Marina (Australia) and Port Geographe Marina (Australia) are among those which have attained the ratings, which range from three to five stars. In 2010 the MIAA extended the scheme by creating specific criteria for residential canal estates across the region.

'Sentosa Cove is delighted at receiving this industry accreditation', said Chan Mun Wei, Acting General Manager for Sentosa Cove Resort Management (SCRM). 'Development and construction of the estate is on track for completion in 2014. In the meantime, creating a world-class waterway has been a key focus of the management, as we continue to grow the residential community and build the marina lifestyle at the Cove.'

A dedicated marina team maintains the waterways through regular checks, employing ultrasonic devices to keep algae growth in check. Lockgates and sluices are used to manage the daily flushing regime brought about by tidal cycles, as they effectively channel water between the sea and the waterway.

Efforts to create a world-class waterway have already paid off for Sentosa Cove in the form of a sizable aquatic community, featuring glass perchlets, streaked rabbit, silver moonfish and barracuda.

More at www.marinas.net.au