Georgia Strait Alliance, a BC-based marine conservation organization, facilitated a spill response training session this week in Victoria Harbour to assist participating marinas with their planning, preparation and responses to small-scale marine oil spills should one occur at their docks. This represents the first time the organization has brought its spill training program to Victoria.
“When marinas and wharfs are trained to provide quick responses to marine spills at their docks, the potential damage to our water and ecosystems can be mitigated,” says Christianne Wilhelmson, Executive Director of Georgia Strait Alliance. “As part of our Clean Marine BC program, we’re bringing spill training to marinas in Victoria on the heels of our successful initial endeavour in Vancouver Harbour last November.”
Georgia Strait Alliance’s award-winning Clean Marine BC program is an eco-certification program for recreational boating facilities committed to reducing contaminants from entering surrounding waters, and minimizing impacts on the environment from all aspects of marina and boating facility operations. The program includes a site verification visit and an anchor rating, with five anchors being the highest rating achievable.
Participants from seven marinas from Victoria, Ladysmith and Pender Island learned valuable skills to effectively deal with small marine oil spills. The full-day session included a classroom component that covered the planning, preparedness, response and post spill phases, followed by a practice scenario involving a moored vessel and a mock marine oil spill.
The session was facilitated by Global Stratagem Consulting, with the support of Georgia Strait Alliance.
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Pictures of the marine oil spill training program in Victoria Harbour https://www.dropbox.com/sh/xstiipcuyw7mbc8/AAAk7Nk1U_Mt7rf1mbJSkBmxa?dl=0
About the Clean Marine BC program (CMBC)
CMBC is a voluntary environmental recognition program for marinas, harbour authorities, yacht clubs, and boatyards. Launched by Georgia Strait Alliance in 2007, the five-anchor rating program helps boating facilities to improve upon and achieve excellence in environmental best practices.
Seventeen certified members representing 23 marinas, yacht clubs, boatyards and wharfs are now certified by the program, and another 23 facilities have adopted the Clean Marine BC policy and are working towards certification.
About Georgia Strait Alliance
Formed in 1990, Georgia Strait Alliance is the only conservation group whose mission is focused on working to protect and restore the marine environment and promote the sustainability of Georgia Strait, its adjoining waters and communities.
For more information
Christianne Wilhelmson, Executive Director
T 604-862-7579
E christianne@georgiastrait.org