H P Sandy Purdon Wins BoatUS Honor

Posted by
Alan Sorum
Jun 7, 2007

Marina managers, Coast Guard Auxiliary members and many boaters are familiar with the BoatU.S. Foundation and its work to promote clean boating. Last year the Foundation instituted a national Environmental Leadership Award to recognize outstanding efforts made by individuals and groups that are concerned with clean boating.

The winner of the first BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water Environmental Leadership Award goes to H.P. Sandy Purdon of California. Purdon is the founder and driving force of the Clean Marinas California Program. The special award was presented at a meeting of the California Boating and Waterways Commission. BoatU.S. conveyed a $1,000 gift as part of the award to encourage continued effort in this project.

Faced with increasing regulatory pressure, Purdon started working with boating clubs and marinas in southern California to create a voluntary program for marinas that based on self-regulation and monitoring. Industry self-regulation was seen as a better alternative to top down governmental rulemaking. Susan Shingledecker of the BoatU.S. Foundation adds, “What makes California’s program unique is that it is not run by the government. Instead, it is industry led. California’s program is currently one of the fastest growing programs in the country, and in just three years it has certified over 50 marinas."

More information on the California effort can be seen at the Clean Marinas California website.

Others honored with Environmental Leadership Commendations by BoatU.S. Foundation include:

Jim Brown and the Lake County Airboat Association, Lake County, Florida
Michael Danko, New Jersey Sea Grant
Friends of the Rappahonock, Virginia
Grand Lake Sail and Power Squadron, Oklahoma
Will Keene, Edson Corporation, Massachusetts
Dewayne Hollin, Texas Sea Grant
Donna Morrow, Maryland Department of Natural Resources
OCSC (Olympic Circle Sailing Club), Berkeley, California
Gregory Reynolds, Palm Beach County, Florida
Doug Truston, Wormley Creek Marina, Virginia