BELFAST HARBOUR MARINA AWARDED BLUE FLAG STATUS FOR THIRD YEAR RUNNING
Belfast Harbour Marina has received the international Blue Flag Award for a third year running – one of 21 award-winning beaches and marinas across Northern Ireland revealed by the charity Live Here Love Here, which manages the accreditations locally.
The iconic Blue Flag is one of the world’s most recognised awards for beaches and marinas. Winning sites meet international standards in criteria such as safety, accessibility, cleanliness, environmental education and, for beaches, water quality.
This year, the awards focused on making blue spaces accessible to everyone in the community.
Simon Gibson, Marine, Environment and Biodiversity Officer at Belfast Harbour, was among those invited to collect the award at a special ceremony.
He said: “We are delighted to have once again been awarded with the prestigious Blue Flag status for our Marina. This is welcome recognition for the many steps we have taken to make the marina a welcoming and accessible space for visitors, as well as helping to promote environmental education. The awarding of Blue Flag status aligns with our strategic goals to Develop and Improve our Port, and to Create Vibrant Places to Live and Work, all under the overarching goal to Accelerate to Net Zero. Thank you to everyone who has supported our work at the marina over recent years, we are very proud of this achievement.”
Eric Randall, CEO of Live Here Love Here, said: “I want to warmly congratulate the 21 beaches and marinas that have won a Blue Flag or a Seaside Award this year. These awards are about celebrating all that is good in our marine environment and reminding the public about the importance of looking after our blue spaces. None of the progress we celebrate today would be possible without the work of our volunteers and officers in our councils. This year was particularly special as we focused on ensuring our beaches are open to all parts of our community.”
Speaking at the awards ceremony, the Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir MLA, said: “Congratulations to all our winning beaches and marinas. These iconic awards demonstrate the hard work of councils, volunteers and operators in meeting and maintaining international standards. The awards assure residents and visitors alike that they are guaranteed to find a clean, safe, attractive and well-managed beach or marina to enjoy.”
Unlike beaches which are required to lower their flags until the water is safe to swim in, Blue Flag Marinas, which are not designated bathing waters, fly their flags all year round.
For more information on Belfast Harbour Marina, visit HERE
