South Bimini, Bahamas – September 20, 2013
Bimini Sands Marina has received its Blue Flag certification, one of only four marinas in the Bahamas to achieve this environmental standard: PHOTO CREDIT: Bimini Sands Resort & Marina.
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), an international nonprofit and non-governmental organization, has awarded a Blue Flag to Bimini Sands Marina on South Bimini in the Bahamas. The Blue Flag is a voluntary “eco-label” that is awarded to marinas around the world based on their compliance with 24 criteria covering Environmental Education & Information, Water Quality, Environmental Management, Safety & Services.
Bimini Sands Marina received its Blue Flag certification on September 12, 2013 following a rigorous application and inspection process. To date, it is one of only four marinas in the Bahamas to achieve this environmental standard. “Keeping our resort and marina, our island, and the incredible blue water surrounding it pristine and environmentally sustainable is a top priority for us here at Bimini Sands,” said Frank Cooney, President and CEO of Bimini Sands Resort & Marina. “We are proud of all the hard work that our marina staff and Bimini Sands Activities Co-Directors Katie Grudecki and Grant Johnson have put into earning this prestigious award.”
The Blue Flag has been awarded to more than 3,850 beaches and marinas in 48 countries across Europe, South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, New Zealand, Brazil, Canada and the Caribbean. This voluntary program works towards sustainable development of beaches and marinas through strict criteria dealing with Water Quality, Environmental Education & Information, Environmental Management, and Safety and Other Services.
Bimini Sands Resort & Marina may now fly the Blue Flag Marina icon: PHOTO CREDIT: Blueflag.org
Bimini Sands Marina received a Blue Flag in recognition of the fact that it meets or exceeds the following criteria, among others:
1) Environmental Education and Information: Information relating to local ecosystems and environmental phenomena is available to marina users; a code of conduct governing the use of the marina and surrounding areas is on display, along with information about the Blue Flag Marina Programme; and the marina offers at least three environmental education activities to the users and staff of the marina.
2) Water Quality: The water in the marina is visually clean without any evidence of pollution (oil, litter, sewage, etc).
3) Environmental Management: The marina has environmental plan in place that includes water management, waste and energy consumption, health and safety issues, and the use of environmentally friendly products wherever possible. A marina management committee has been appointed to implement this plans and conduct environmental audits on a regular basis.
4) Safety and Services. Adequate and clearly signposted lifesaving, first-aid and fire-fighting equipment are present, and emergency plans in case of pollution, fire or other accidents are in place. Safety precautions and information are posted at the marina. Electricity and water is available at the berths, and the installations are approved according to national legislation. Wheelchair access and accessibility features are in place.
In addition to earning a Blue Flag, Bimini Sands Marina also was the first marina in the Bahamas to become a certified Shark-Free Marina, aiding in the preservation of endangered shark species.
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