National Marina Day

National Marina Day is an annual celebration of the important role marinas play in waterfront communities all across America. Marinas serve as stewards of the environment increasing boater awareness on environmental issues and boater safety.

South Florida is the boating capitol of the world and our waters are one of the most important natural resources we have. Marinas across the Nation have joined together to educate not only boaters but also to increase community awareness on the dangers of pollution entered into our waters and the long term effects that pollution can have on our fragile environment.

The City of Hollywood Marina has long been an environmentally friendly marina. As one of the first marinas in South Florida to be awarded the status of a “Clean Marina” by the Department of Environmental Protection, the City of Hollywood is proud to celebrate National Marina Day.

 

 

2007 NATIONAL MARINA DAY
We would like to thank the following participants of the event for all the effort they put into making this years celebration even better than the last.
  • Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
  • U.S. Coast Guard Aux
  • Coca~Cola
  • Hollywood Police Department
  • Aerial Banners Inc.
  • International Game Fish Association
  • SailRite
  • Bass Pro
  • Mrs G Diving
  • Gulfstream Sailing
  • Vanishing Species
  • Yamaha-Seadoo
  • B.S.O.
  • Celebration Source
Kids of all ages seemed to enjoy this little tiger cub.


Lynn was extremely helpful in teaching us all about gators.


These children have only just begun to fish.

Visitors came to spend a beautiful day at the Hollywood Marina to Celebrate National Marina Day. A fun time was had by all. Between the boat rides, rock climbing, casting demonstrations and numerous other booths and activities, we believe they really enjoyed themselves.

All at the Marina was not fun and games. We also believe that our visitors learned about our waterways, responsible fishing, safe boating habits and the importance of protecting our fragile environment from over fishing, pollution and recklessness.

National Marina Day is a time when we bring the teachers, our visitors come to be students and we all learn some valuable lessons about our ecology together. Thank you all.


Scott Gebhard, Dockmaster at Hollywood Marina
 We live in one of the most beautiful and one of the most fragile environments in the world. What National Marina Day represents to me is not so much to educate the people of Florida as it is to remind them of what they already know. If we are to leave our future generations a place worth living in, then it is of the utmost importance that we make a commitment to preserving the precious gifts Florida has to offer. We here at the Hollywood Marina will always strive to find better and more environmentally friendly ways of doing business.


Hotdogs, a coke and plenty of smiles made up the menu for today.


For many this was a first time boating day. Safety first was the lesson they learned.


Climbing to new heights with the knowledge that we can all make a difference in this world.

This couple was caught embracing the ideas of safe boating, lessening pollution and protecting the environment while enjoying the festivities at the Hollywood Marina on National Marina Day. Only by working together can we keep Florida and the World a beautiful place to live.

 

The 2006 National Marina Day celebration (pictured below) was a complete success. A good time was had by all. More importantly we all learned how we can help the environment and our community.

Pictured to the right are some of the contributors to our 2006 National Marina Day celebration.

Other contributors (not pictured) were Lees Locksmith and The Sign Painter. We would like to thank these contributors for all they did. As we look forward to the upcoming year's events and reach out to our friends, we know that their support will be there once again. We were very pleased to see how the community came together to support the event.

Florida’s waterways are fragile and the more we educate and promote good boating habits the better the chances are that we will be able to enjoy this precious resource for years to come. The contributors and participants in this years event have shown a commitment to insuring a future of safe environmentally friendly boating.
Mr. Maurice Barron of Coca-Cola receiving his placard from William Vulpis (Operations Manager) and Scott Gebhard (Dockmaster) for his participation before during and after the event. To coin an old phrase, “Where there's Coke there's hospitality.” Maurice (Mo) proved that.


Bob and Dana of Aerial Banners Inc. went to great heights to advertise the event at the Marina.

Participants who helped make our first National Marina Day such a success were the U.S. Coast Guard Aux,. F.W.C, I.G.F.A., Hollywood police department, Boaters World, Not Fish Food and Mrs. G’s diving.


The United States Coast Guard Aux. promoting boating safety and vessel inspections.



International Game Fish Association kept many people entertained with their fishing simulator.



Boaters World answered questions and provided handouts and some marine related free gifts.		     
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation, officer Ernie Light was at hand to answer any questions that attendees may have had.


Hollywood Police Department was represented in force not only by our marine patrol but with a booth and handouts for all.


Not Fish Food Org. had a display showing just some of the things that were picked up from our waters. Please keep our waters clean!

Marina Patrons and area Residents were abound, enjoying the beautiful weather and fine dining (hot dogs and chips) provided by the event. Bill Vulpis, our Operations Manager/Short Order Cook, took orders (something he’s not used to) answered questions, did the cooking, and provided entertainment with his wonderful wit and charm. Basically he made everyone feel welcome as he fed them some really great dogs. Thanks Bill for all your help.

Scott Gebhard, our Dockmaster did it all from set up early morning to clean up at the end of the event. Taking the time to make sure all the participants were comfortable, answering questions, explaining why National Marina Day is such an important event for the continued survival of our environment and our industry. Scott brought all of these groups together to make this event happen.

     

Most of all we would like to thank the people who came to celebrate National Marina Day with us. These are the people who really can make the difference in our environment and keep our industry strong. We provided the knowledge but you are the ones with the power to make the positive changes and judging from the group we saw this day we were assured that we put our trust in very good hands. Thank you all for your support not just this day but for the future of Florida’s ecology.