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Port to Host Alternative Hull Paint Seminars at San Diego Sunroad Boat Show

Thursday, 26 January 2012
Contact: Barbara Moreno (619) 686-6222, (619) 686-6216

The trends in boating and environmentally friendly hull paints will be on display at the upcoming 2012 San Diego Sunroad Boat Show Friday, January 27, through Sunday, January 29.

The boat show will be at the Sunroad Resort Marina, 955 Harbor Island Drive (map), from noon to 6 p.m. on Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Just for the show, the marina is adding more floating docks this year to moor several larger vessels. Attendees can tour more than 100 new and pre-cruised sailboats and motor yachts.

Representatives from the Port of San Diego’s Environmental and Land Use Management staff will be on hand to provide information to boaters about eco-friendly hull paints that are alternatives to copper-based paints. Port District staff will share information about the benefits of using copper-free hull paints and discuss an incentive program for Shelter Island recreational boaters to help them pay to switch to alternative paints.

The Port will hold noon seminars on alternative hull paints on Saturday and Sunday. A number of paint manufacturers of non-biocide hull paints and boatyard representatives will also be present to talk to boaters about their products and services. This information will also be provided at the Port’s booth in the exhibitor area.

In 1996, the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board found high levels of dissolved copper in the Shelter Island Yacht Basin. As a result, the Water Quality Board developed a regulatory order that requires the Port, marinas and yacht clubs, hull cleaners and boaters to reduce copper pollution in the Shelter Island Yacht Basin by up to 76 percent by 2022. This regulation identifies copper-based anti-fouling paints as a major source of copper pollution in the yacht basin.

An environmental steward of San Diego Bay, the Port developed its Copper Reduction Program to address copper pollution bay-wide and conduct ongoing research on eco-friendly hull paints.

In addition to these seminars, attendees will also be able to enjoy free boat rides, food, music and beverage.

Show hours are:

• Friday, January 27 from noon to 6 p.m.
• Saturday, January 28 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Sunday, January 29 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased at the entrance to the event. Adult admission is $10 and children 12 and under are free with a paid adult. Active military, emergency medical technicians, police and fire personnel get free admission on Friday, January 27 with identification.

General parking is $10 and is located at the corner of North Harbor Dr. and Harbor Island Dr. (map) Shuttle service is available.

The Port of San Diego has supported this event with a $15,000 sponsorship for marketing and promotions.

The Port of San Diego was created by the state legislature in 1962. Since then, it has invested $1.7 billion in public improvements in its five member cities – Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach, National City and San Diego.

San Diego Bay and its surrounding tidelands provide a recreational haven for boaters, cyclists, fishermen, runners and art enthusiasts.

Seventeen public parks – with an 18^th under construction – along the waterfront include amenities such as children’s playgrounds, basketball courts, soccer fields, baseball fields and miles of scenic walkways. There are four public fishing piers, four public boat launch ramps and several accessible boat docks.

The Port District oversees two maritime cargo terminals, two cruise ship terminals, 17 public parks, the Harbor Police Department and the leases of more than 600 tenant and sub tenant businesses around San Diego Bay.