Bradley Creek Marina in Wilmington is the latest facility certified as a North Carolina Clean Marina.

The marina, located near the head of Bradley Creek in Wilmington, received the certification on Sept. 24 and has proudly flown the Clean Marina flag since. The marina has also posted about the certification on social media, sent email blasts, and announced it in its quarterly news media.

“Our customers have loved it,” said General Manager Jon Crews.

Clean Marina is a voluntary program under the Division of Coastal Management in which participating marina operators must complete an evaluation form about their use of specific best management practices to protect water quality. To earn the certification, the marina’s owners control boat maintenance activities and prepare spill prevention plans to protect water quality. Marina operators also incorporate safety and emergency planning for their facilities.

Bradley Creek Marina’s interest in obtaining a Clean Marina certification began about four years ago after a shift in leadership at the facility, Crews said. Since the marina already had a pump-out station and does not have on-site maintenance, much of what it did to gain Clean Marina certification was educational.

The marina remodeled its trash receptacles and added a recycling program, Crews said.

“We’ve had a lot of positive feedback, and people have been participating, too,” Crews said.

Clean Marina is a nationwide program developed by the National Marine Environmental Education Foundation, a nonprofit organization that works to clean up waterways for better recreational boating. The foundation encourages states to adopt Clean Marina principles to fit their own needs.

The North Carolina program is a partnership between the N.C. Division of Coastal Management, the Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Partnership, N.C. Sea Grant, the U.S. Power Squadron, and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.

Bradley Creek Marina also recently received a $9,544.48 grant from the Pumpout Station Grant Program to help finance replacement of its pumpout system, which was damaged by Hurricane Florence. The grant represents 75% of the total cost of the system, which is open to the public for a $5 fee.

For more information about clean marinas and how to apply for Clean Marina status or about the Pumpout Station Grant Program and a how to apply for financial assistance, go to https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/coastal-management/coastal-management-recognition.