The Yacht Harbour Association (TYHA) plays an important role in promoting excellence and sustainability within the marina industry. This includes their "Clean Marina" programme, launched in 2021, and the Gold Anchor accreditation scheme.

The "Clean Marina" programme, based on established principles in the US and Australia, operates separately from the Gold Anchor scheme, though both can be assessed concurrently by TYHA Assessors. The “Clean Marina” programme hinges on the fundamental need for facilities to master basic environmental protection of watercourses since without basic environmental stewardship, progressing to other sustainability issues becomes less effective.

Achieving clean waters involves the effective use of black, grey, and bilge water pump-out facilities, filtering water from boat washdown facilities in yards, ensuring drains are properly used, and managing waste correctly. These processes require the active participation of both staff and berth-holders, so advice is provided on understanding requirements and habits (particularly pump-out practices), communicating the importance of clean waters, and gauging engagement levels. Furthermore, removing other threats of water pollution encompasses comprehensive waste management, including suitable segregation and certified treatment services.

TYHA aspires to strengthen an open sharing culture around good practice among marina teams, through member magazines, or via peer review processes. This includes generating and distributing expert content from relevant suppliers or other professionals to encourage better understanding.

Revision of the Code of Practice

In a significant development, Marina Projects Ltd. is currently collaborating with TYHA on a major revision of its influential Code of Practice (CoP), which is due to be unveiled at the 2025 ICOMIA World Marinas Conference in Venice. This document, which forms the basis of the Gold Anchor accreditation scheme, is being updated to reflect the contemporary international marina landscape and provide forward-looking guidance.

Fundamental to the revision is a focus on increased international use and applicability to diverse jurisdictions and operational factors (e.g., tidal differences, regulatory compliance and boating behaviour). The update has welcomed the participation of various working groups, discussions with infrastructure suppliers, extensive stakeholder engagement, and benchmarking against existing codes and standards.

To ensure futureproofing, the CoP looks to acknowledging changing attitudes, such as the demand for higher quality services, and an increasing awareness of a marina’s environmental impact. Equally, catering for more newcomers to boating may require practical considerations such as offering wider fairways and more robust pontoons.

For those seeking certification, additional benefits stem from the cooperative spirit prevalent in the boating industry. TYHA's assessors, working across 30 nations, go beyond merely checking compliance; they actively share best practices and information on industry trends, offer valuable recommendations, and provide applicants with opportunities to make improvements prior to accreditation.

To learn more about The Yacht Harbour Association’s work, visit their website: www.tyha.co.uk