The first issue that was pollutes marinas is runoff water/pollution entering the water from the parking lot. One solution could be to move the parking lot further away from the water. Another possible solution is to have a drain going across the ramp leading into the water. That way, runoff water and some other small objects would fall into the drain instead of flowing into the water itself.
Another issue considered is where the boat storage equipment is stored. Currently in the Atlantic Highlands Marina, the extra equipment that holds the boats up and in storage is left outside close to the water. The equipment has become rusty and the paint is peeling off of it because it is left outside. A shed to keep this equipment could be built in order to keep it in better condition and to keep the rust and peeling paint from blowing into the water and causing pollution.
A third issue is the fact that the on-land gas pumps at the Atlantic Highlands Marina were so close to the water. The fact that the fuel pumps were so close to the water worried me because it could lead to serious pollution if there was a spill of some sort. The gas pumps would need to be moved further away from the water. The dock gas pumps could be placed on top of a material that absorbs oil and gas, so that if there is a small leak or spill, the material would be able to absorb the oil/gas instead of letting it flow into the ocean. When the material becomes completely saturated or outdated, it would need to be properly disposed of and replaced with new material. For the docking system, the docks should be organized so that commercial boats such as party boats would be on one side of the marina, and the private boats as well as the fishing pier would be on the other end. Many current green marinas minimize the usage of hazardous materials. They use only environmentally friendly materials to construct the marina, such as long lasting docks that do not need to be replaced as often as a wooden dock does.
Runoff is a major contributor in polluting marinas. Plant vegetation in and around parking lots in order to absorb storm water. These plants that are placed in parking lots are known as “green barriers” and are often used in green marinas. These green barriers not only stop runoff, but also are aesthetically pleasing. Make sure all draining systems for roofs lead to soil and not concrete or asphalt so that the soil will absorb water and not lead to runoff into the marina’s water. Keep all equipment in the marina current and working properly. For example, while visiting the site I noticed that some rinsing stations had leaking pipes and water was pouring all over the parking lot nearby the ramp. This was causing a ton of runoff water to build up.
Many issues in marinas that cause pollution can simply be solved through organization. For example, moving dumpsters, rusty equipment, and open garbage cans away from the water can stop some debris from entering water. Placing signs everywhere stating littering laws/rules and marina regulations can also help enforce laws and prevent some pollution. Setting up recycling stations and having proper disposal containers for certain chemicals or wastes can also prevent dumping and pollution. Setting fees and fines and actually enforcing them for those who do not obey the rules can encourage people not to pollute the water. It is also necessary to enforce these laws, because then people are more likely to obey them.
The Atlantic Highlands Marina currently has wooden docks. The issue with wooden docks is that they do need to be replaced often as the wood rots away. This is a waste of materials, and therefore not beneficial to the environment. Fiberglass docks can be a good material for building docks. Fiberglass docks are tough and durable and are said to last around 50 years in marine
The Atlantic Highlands Marina currently has a breakwater in order to protect the marina from waves and rough tides in the bay. However, breakwaters are not very environmentally friendly, and therefore should be replaced with a different system. Breakwaters lead to erosion, and so they do not make a marina green.
Over the summer, my partner and I visited the Atlantic Highlands Marina in order to take pictures of the site and view all of the vital parts of the Marina. We noted not only the layout of the Marina, but also the location of important things such as trash cans, electrical outlets, gas pumps, parking lots, the fishing pier, boat repair areas, boat storage, benches, flag poles, fire hydrants, offices, street lights, bike parking, handicap parking, soda machines, bulletin boards, and various signs stating rules and regulations. Also, after visiting the site, we realized several building we would need to take into account that are located at this specific site. There is the Shore Casino, Sissy’s restaurant, the bait shop, the security station, the marina office, the restrooms, a playground, tennis courts, a basketball court, a senior center, and a trail to take into consideration, besides the marina itself.
After having a discussion with Carol Cassese from the Atlantic Highlands Marina Office, I was informed that the marina has 400 slips, and around 140-150 moorings. She also stated that the marina was first opened in the 1940’s. The marina is protected from the bay by a breakwater and currently consists of ten piers. One of the piers is a fishing pier, and one of the piers has access to the ferry at the very end. The commercial boats are located at one side of the marina, while the privately owned boats and the fishing pier are located at the complete opposite side. The marina currently is made up of several different shaped piers. They range from T shaped to piers that come out at an angle. The pier with ferry access is almost twice as long as the other piers. The marina has several parking lots, including a commuter’s lot and a regular lot. Parts of the marina’s docks are actually rooted to the ground, while other parts are floating docks.
Works Consulted
Dura Composites. “Marina Deck.” http://www.marinadeck.co.uk/
The Green Blue. “Green Blue Guide To Designing A Green Marina.”
http://www.thegreenblue.org.uk/publications/documents/BestPracticeGreenMarina.doc
Green Marina Initiative. “Green Marina Guidebook.” http://www.interior.gov/greening/links/greenmarina.pdf
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