FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 11, 2002

Jib Yacht Club and Marina Achieves Clean Marina Status

WEST PALM BEACH - Today at 4:00 p.m., the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in association with the Clean Boating Partnership, designates the Jib Yacht Club and Marina as the 50th "Clean Marina" in the state. This designation recognizes Tequesta's Jib Yacht Club and Marina for their commitment to protecting and preserving our aquatic ecosystems for the enjoyment of boaters and all Floridians.

The Jib Yacht Club and Marina is truly a special facility. Being one of the last surviving "Mom and Pop" marinas in the area, and the only marina in Tequesta open to the public, its management style and sense of purpose are mirrored in the tranquility of the facility and the demeanor of the employees. Spencer and Laura Lloyd own the facility. The dockmaster Jann Strouse and friendly staffers, Glenn and Barry manage daily operations. Spencer's dad, Stan provides the "Pop" with his personality and old-soul smile. The family, being modest may not indicate that they have been approved for the "Clean Marina" designation since April of this year. Also that the designation ceremony was held back so they could plan and implement other capital projects favorable to the environment and their customers, going above the Clean Marina criteria. Since April, the facility:

• Has completed the installation of a new state-of-the-art boat sewage pump-out facility, using a grant from the Clean Vessel Act;
• Conducts monthly safety/general meetings at the facility for all staff members;
• Designed and broke ground for new air conditioned restrooms with showers and an extended ship's store;
• Has completed electrical upgrades on the docks that have resulted in new controls with no exposed electrical lines on the docks;
• Began renovation of the patio area, which includes a planned extension and new roof installation;
•  Added a new fixed pier on the south end to increase the number of slips to 40; and
•  Planted palm tree seedlings in pots, which are to be grown for replanting at the facility;
• Added a live bait area

In addition, the Jib Yacht Club and Marina provides its customers with:

• Environmental services, such as convenient waste receptacles, plastic and aluminum recycling, free used oil disposal, fish waste macerators, clean bathrooms, showers and laundry facilities;
• Environmental education materials, such as hazardous waste disposal procedures, including solvents and out-of-date flares, clean boating habits, environmental conservation information, and handouts/placards about endangered species and sensitive habitat;
• Free use of the facility's patio and pool area;
• Quality sport fishing events such as the Grand Slam KDW annual fishing tournament that it helps sponsor

All of this was accomplished through the implementation of marina environmental and pollution prevention measures and employee training as developed under the Clean Marina Program by the Clean Boating Partnership. The Clean Boating Partnership is a group composed of marina and boatyard operators and representatives from marine industry associations, Florida Sea Grant, International Marina Institute and the U.S. Coast Guard. They also had to pass a detailed assessment of their facility by a team of Clean Marina assessors comprising representatives of the FDEP, Florida Sea Grant and marine industry experts.

The designation ceremony is a celebration of this accomplishment and took place at the Jib Yacht Club and Marina, 46 Beach Road, Tequesta. Melissa Meeker, DEP Southeast District Director, and Paul Thompson, DEP Southeast District Clean Marina Coordinator made the presentation of the Clean Marina Plaque and Flag and many dignitaries and friends of the facility were there to share in this wonderful achievement.

The reality is that Florida is home to nearly 2,000 marinas and over 800,000 registered boaters. In addition, an estimated 400,000 boats visit our waters annually. The effects of year-round boating activities contribute to constant and growing pressure on Florida's fragile aquatic ecosystems. Clean water is essential to the multi-billion dollar marine industry and critical for protecting sensitive habitats, manatees and fish nurseries. To address these environmental issues the DEP and the Clean Boating Partnership, which includes representation from the Marine Industries Association, the Florida Sea Grant Program, and the United States Coast Guard, developed the Clean Marina Program. In order to receive the Clean Marina designation, marinas must comply with all environmental regulations and meet Clean Marina Criteria. Clean Marinas adopt safeguards that help keep solvents, sewage and fuel out of the water, while protecting manatees and other creatures that live in the water. By improving operations at marine facilities to prevent pollution and working to educate boaters, Florida's Clean Marinas are helping to ensure a sustainable future for the environment, for boaters and for the marine industry. The Clean Marina designation gives boaters a recognizable, environmentally sound choice for their service and mooring needs and the Jib Yacht Club and Marina has surely earned this recognition.

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