Editorial — Boaters Help Clean California Coast

The results of this year’s California Coastal Cleanup Day are in, and boaters played a big part in the annual event, removing mountains of trash and debris from the state’s coastline and harbors.            

In all, 412 boater volunteers collected approximately 3,640 pounds of trash and recyclables — on land and from 32 non-motorized vessels, according to the California Department of Boating and Waterways.            

Numerous yacht clubs and boating organizations from across the state participated. In Southern California, participants included Alamitos Bay Yacht Club, Long Beach Yacht Club and Seal Beach Yacht Club, along with the Pacific Inter-Club Yacht Association, which was a partner in the event.            

California Coastal Cleanup Day — held Sept. 15 — had a total of 60,593 volunteer participants (boaters AND non-boaters) from San Diego to Eureka, removing debris and trash from the state’s beaches and harbors. More than 304 tons of trash and recyclable material was collected from more than 1,400 miles of coastline.            

We salute the efforts of everyone involved in making this year’s Coastal Cleanup Day a successful one — and we encourage all boaters to participate in next year’s event, tentatively scheduled for Sept. 21, 2013.            

For information on how boaters can participate, visit coast4u.org or contact coordinators Vivian Matuk at (415) 904-6905 or Shannon Waters at (415) 904-5214.