100,000 California Boaters Educated by Dockwalkers
San Diego County CA— The statewide Dockwalker program continues its multi-year boater-education efforts with the goal of improving the quality of harbor and inland waters. The program is offering four free local Dockwalker workshops now through April to train volunteers to promote and educate boaters on environmentally-sound boating practices in Southern California. The workshops are provided by The Bay Foundation (TBF), California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways, and California Coastal Commission’s Boating Clean and Green Program, in partnership with the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, the US Power Squadron, and other boating organizations.
Dockwalking has proven to be an impactful way to interact with boaters to keep California’s marinas, waterways, and the ocean clean. Dockwalkers conduct face-to-face boater education and distribute Boater Kits, which provide educational resources and pollution prevention tools.
Since 2000 when the statewide Dockwalker program launched, over 100,000 boaters have been educated about clean boating practices by our network of volunteer Dockwalkers.
“Part of why the Dockwalker program is successful is it’s a fun way to engage with other boaters and further develop community ties. Dockwalkers are out on the water, in harbors, and at local events,” states Victoria Gambale, TBF’s Water Quality Programs Manager. “Connecting to the boating community and sharing clean boating tips and resources gives Dockwalkers a sense of pride.” Save our Shores, the originators of the program, created a video about their “Dockwalking” experience
Items that Dockwalkers will share with boaters this year include a tide calendar and a fuel bib. A fuel bib is a pollution prevention tool that is placed around the nozzle of the pump and captures accidental gas spills and leaks while fueling.
The Tide Calendar, in addition to the tides, includes a marina guide with a map of all harbors from Morro Bay to Coral Marina in Baja Mexico, highlighting locations of sewage pumpouts, fuel docks, oil recycling, absorbent pad distribution and collection, and bilge pumpouts. It also provides sewage management tips, a list of boat-to-boat services, marine protected area information, and more. The tide calendar augments the many tools that TBF’s Boater Education Program and its partners continue to create for boaters, which includes the free downloadable “Boater’s Guide App” (iTunes) and printed version.
To become a Dockwalker volunteer, please contact Victoria Gambale at (213) 620-2271, vgambale@santamonicabay.org, or visit www.santamonicabay.org.
Training is free. Registration is required. Marinas, yacht club staff and members are encouraged to attend the training.
2017 Spring Dockwalker Trainings will be held at the following times and locations:
March 25, 2017- Marina del Rey
10am-12:45pm
Burton Chase Park
13650 Mindanao Way, Marina del Rey, CA 90292
April 1, 2017- Newport Beach
10am-12:45pm
Newport Sea Base
1931 West Coast Highway, Newport Beach, CA 92663
April 15, 2017- San Diego
10am-12:45pm
Silver Gate Yacht Club
2091 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego, CA 92106
April 29, 2017- Long Beach
10am-12:45pm
Long Beach Yacht Club
6201 E. Appian Way, Long Beach, CA 90803
About The Bay Foundation (TBF)
The Bay Foundation, also known as the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Foundation, is a 501(c) 3 non-profit environmental group founded in 1990 to restore and enhance the Santa Monica Bay (from the LA-Ventura county line to the Palos Verdes Peninsula) and local coastal waters. The Foundation is the non-profit partner of the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission, raising and expending funds for research, education, planning, cleanup efforts and other priorities identified in the Commission’s Santa Monica Bay Restoration Plan. As advocates for the Bay, TBF works collaboratively with a broad group of stakeholders, including government agencies, industry, environmental groups, and scientists, to implement innovative policies and projects that clean up the waterways, create green spaces and natural habitats in the Los Angeles region. TBF conducts research and mentors student interns and volunteers through its Center for Santa Monica Bay Studies at Loyola Marymount University. (www.santamonicabay.org)
About DBW
Boating and Waterways is a division of California State Parks. DBW provides safe and convenient public access to California’s waterways and leadership in promoting safe, enjoyable and environmentally sound recreational boating. (www.dbw.parks.ca.gov)