Eco-Friendly Boating for Cleaner Water Ahead

Who’s doing what — and what you can do for a greener approach to boating. With some of the busiest coastal waters in the country, Southern California sees a steady amount of recreational boaters, anglers, charters, and sailors — all sharing an ocean that’s home to fragile ecosystems and local marine life. As activity on the water grows, there are growing conversations about how to better care for the marine environments of which we rely and enjoy. Across the region, ports including Long Beach, Los Angeles, and San Diego are exploring ways to reduce emissions, invest in cleaner technologies, and support greener operations. Some of the options being implemented range from shore power and electric equipment to habitat restoration and sustainable harbor practices. These changes may signal a broader shift toward ocean enjoyment that doesn’t come at the environment’s expense. For example, the Port of Los Angeles has partnered with Catalina Express and Harbor Breeze Cruises on a demonstration project to test next-generation, low-emission passenger vessels. With support from a $31 million grant from the California Air Resources Board, the LA Marine Emission Reduction (LA MER) project includes building a new Catalina Express ferry powered by Tier 4 engines and renewable diesel,...