UAE: Al Bandar Marina Receives Blue Flag Certification

Al Bandar Marina, a new marina at the heart of the Al Bandar residential community in Abu Dhabi, has been awarded the Gulf region’s first Blue Flag certification, a volunteer eco-label administered by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) for marinas and beaches around the world that works towards sustainable development.

Al Bandar Marina is a state of the art marina located within the Al Bandar residential community at Al Raha Beach which was delivered last year. Open to residents of the Al Raha Beach area and the wider Abu Dhabi boating community, Al Bandar marina offers 131 fully serviced berths from 9m to 24m at competitive rates, exclusive deals with partnered businesses, direct access to the stunning waterways of Abu Dhabi and a range of amenities from restaurants, cafes, a supermarket and other retail outlets.

In order to receive Blue Flag certification, Al Bandar Marina had to meet stringent performance criteria regarding water quality, environmental education and information, environmental management, safety and other services. It was able to achieve this through the work of its dedicated staff members, early adoption of essential requirements within the build process, the formation of environmental management committees and the procurement of world class emergency response equipment.

Al Bandar Marina has a thorough environmental policy in place, covering a range of issues including vessel sewage management litter and pollution control. Specialized cleaning boats are deployed in and around the marina, and Al Bandar Marina provides free sewerage pump out to discourage boaters from dumping into the marina or nearby waterways.

Al Bandar Marina has also formed a Marina Management Committee to ensure injured wildlife are treated with utmost urgency and runs environmental education days to educate the public on the effects of boating on the fragile mangrove habitats, encouraging boaters to look out for sick or injured wildlife in the waterways and teaching local school children about the beauty of the surrounding waters and safety around boats. It has also partnered with the Emirates Wildlife Society and World Wildlife Foundation to adopt marine turtles on behalf of vessel owners.

Commenting on the award, Al Bandar Marina Manager, Paul Sorrell, said, “We are extremely proud at Al Bandar to become the first marina in the Gulf region to have met the strict criteria required for Blue Flag certification. Despite having only opened the doors to our first customers in April this year it proves our commitment to the beautiful waterways surrounding us.”

Sorrell added, “We are dedicated to meeting best practice environmental standards at Al Bandar Marina because ultimately it is what our customers want – the opportunity to boat in clean water, see wildlife and enjoy stimulating marine environments.”

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Source: Al Bandar Marina, June 27, 2011.