Soldiers Point Marine Centre Accreditation- A First for Clean Marinas

by MIA on 5 Sep 2013 Soldiers Point Marine Centre (SPMC), located within the Soldiers Point Marina at Port Stephens NSW is the first independent workshop facility to be awarded the International Clean Marina Program Level 3 accreditation in Australia, presented on Tuesday 3 September by Colin Bransgrove, Executive Officer of the Marina Industries Association.

The Hon. Bob Baldwin MP, Member for Paterson and Shadow Minister for Tourism and Councillor Sally Dover representing the Mayor of Port Stephens, Cr. Bruce MacKenzie, were guests at the presentation.

The Service Centre, which operates as an integral part of the Level 4 ISO Clean Marina accredited Soldiers Point Marina, underwent a comprehensive assessment of their facility management; mechanical activities, shipwright, boat repair and general workshops and emergency and environmental planning and procedures to ensure they were compliant with the stringent Clean Marina Program criteria.

MIA Executive Officer Colin Bransgrove said MIA was particularly pleased with this outcome. 'It is the first time a workshop or service facility has been audited independent of the marina. This is significant and timely as the mandatory criteria has been upgraded and will require all such businesses connected to a certified Clean Marina to become compliant by early 2016.'

Jennifer Busch from SPMC said she has appreciated the support provided by both the MIA and the Soldiers Point Marina to get involved in this important environmental program. 'We are very pleased to be officially recognised as a Clean Marina business under the MIA program. Being able to fly the Clean Marina flag is an important signal that we are committed to high environmental standards as is the whole marina precinct.'

Soldiers Point Marine Centre offers total boating care including engineering, shipwright, mechanical and painting services; repairs – both structural and cosmetic; diesel and petrol engines; antifouling and detailing; varnishing; fitouts and modifications; insurance repairs; slipway and full workshop facilities.

The Clean Marina Program is an international, voluntary accreditation system for marinas, yacht clubs, boat clubs, slipways, boatyards and associated industry operators, and is administered by the Marina Industries Association. The goal of the Clean Marina Program is to reduce ‘non-point source pollution’ associated with boating/marina facilities, and to promote clean water, clean air and thriving marina industry businesses.

More at www.soldiersptmarina.com.au

Photo Caption: (l-r) Greg Busch, Jennifer Busch (SPMC), The Hon. Bob Baldwin MP, Councillor Sally Dover & Colin Bransgrove, MIA at the Soldiers Point Marine Centre presentation