Cannons Marina Awarded Clean Boatyard & Clean Marina
By the Florida DEP For Third Year in Row (July 2008)
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), together with The Clean Boating Partnership,awarded Cannons Marina as a Florida Clean Boatyard and Clean Marina. Cannons is 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 for the third consecutive year.
Operating for 53 years in Southwest Florida, Cannons Marina is a full-service marina and a pioneer in boatyard cleanliness and environmental responsibility. Cannons is the 18th Florida Clean Boatyard and the 104th Clean Marina to earn this prestigious award.
“With thousands of boaters using Florida waters every day, this public-private partnership benefits the marine industry and the environment,” said DEP Division of Law Enforcement Assistant Director Maury Kolchakian. “The Department of Environmental Protection and the Clean Boating Partnership are proud to recognize Cannons Marina for their commitment to this boating community and to protecting the Southwest waterways. “
“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.”
Over 2,000 marinas currently provide services to millions of Florida boaters. The effects of year-round boating activities contribute to constant and growing pressure on Florida’s sensitive aquatic and marine ecosystems. In response, the Clean Boating Partnership, which includes the Department of Environmental Protection, Marine Industries Association of Florida, Florida Sea Grant Program, United States Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary, developed the Florida Clean Boatyard and Clean Marina Program to help marinas, boatyards and boaters protect Florida’s waterways using simple environmental practices that help prevent pollution.
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 andBoatyards are helping to ensure a sustainable future for the environment, for boaters and for the state’s $14 billion-dollar marine and $6.6 billion fishing industries.
Cannons Marina is located at 6040 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, ICW marker 33, and specializes in boat sales, service and rentals. Cannons features Grady-White Boats, Scout Boats and Yamaha outboard motors.For information about the Clean Marina Program, click here.
