The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), together with The Clean Boating Partnership, has named Cannons Marina as a Florida Clean Boatyard and Clean Marina. Cannons was one of the first in the Southwest District (Marion, Sumter, Citrus, Hernando, Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Polk, Manatee, Sarasota & Desoto counties) and the first in Manatee County to earn this double designation award.
Operating for 55 years in Southwest Florida, Cannons Marina is a locally owned and operated Florida boat dealer and a pioneer in boatyard cleanliness and environmental responsibility.
This is Cannons’ fifth consecutive year for this designation. Cannons was the 18th Florida Clean Boatyard and the 104th Clean Marina to earn this prestigious award.
The Florida Clean Marina and Clean Boatyard program is a voluntary designation program with a proactive approach to environmental stewardship. To become designated as a Clean Marina, facilities must implement a set of environmental Best Management Practices (BMP) designed to protect Florida’s waterways. These BMP’s address critical environmental issues such as sensitive habitat, waste management, storm water control, spill prevention and emergency preparedness. The Florida Clean Boatyard program encourages boatyards to implement environmentally conscious practices. BMP’s such as using dustless sanders, oil and solvent recycling and re-circulating pressure wash systems to recycle wastewater help to preserve the state’s natural resources.
“This is a great program. We encourage every boatyard and marina within the state of Florida to achieve this designation to preserve what we can for the future of Florida’s marine environment and wildlife,” said David Miller, owner of Cannons Marina. “This is our commitment to protect the fragile ecosystems while ensuring the enjoyment of boating and of our waters. We call it green boating.”
Florida is defined by water. With more than 1,350 miles of coastline, 50,000 miles of inland and coastal rivers and streams, 700 freshwater springs and countless lakes, Floridians depend on water more than any other natural resource. The continued success of the state’s $56 billion tourism industry, its $14 billion marine industry and $6.6 billion fishing industry rely on Florida’s waterways and coastlines to be clean. Florida’s Clean Marinas and Boatyards go above and beyond required environmental regulations by adopting safeguards that keep solvents, sewage, fuel and oil out of the water, while protecting manatees and other marine life. By educating boaters and improving operations at marine facilities, Florida’s Clean Marinas and Boatyards are helping to ensure a sustainable future for the environment for boaters, the state’s tourism, marine and fishing industries, all of which rely on Florida’s waterways and coastlines to be clean.
Cannons Marina is located on Florida’s West Coast serving the Manatee and Sarasota County area, located at 6040 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, ICW marker 33, and specializes in new and used boat and motor sales, Yamaha 5-Star certified service and boat rentals. Cannons features Grady-White, Scout and SouthWind Boats and Yamaha outboard motors.
For more information about Cannons Marina, visit Cannons.com.
For information about the Clean Marina Program, visit the clean boating partnership and the clean marina program.
Article by LucyLu
I was born a commercial fisherman's daughter in Cortez, an old fishing village off the west coast of Florida where you can still experience "Old Florida" and get a really good grouper sandwich. I went to school and became an anesthetist, after privileged years of practice, I jumped ship to work in the family business - Cannons Marina. I love my job and the view. I am crazy about my dog. Being out on the water is magical. I still get giddy every time I see a dolphin. Often I brag that I had the opportunity to swim alongside a humpback whale - it was freaky and pretty amazing. Fishing for tarpon and marlin make me happy. My life is no doubt boating, but I also love paddle-boarding cooking and travel.
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