Guflport is a charming community that resides on the shores of Boca Ciega Bay, just north of Tampa Bay (near Statute Mile 114). The Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net has also supported the creation of a mooring field to serve these waters, and we are very pleased to report that the good people at Boat/US have seen fit to award Gulfort a Boat/US Boating Access Award! Cheers for Boat/US, and, let me not fail to mention, this orgainization’s Tow/Boat/US division is a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!

Subject: Gulfport Mooring Field Project Wins Boat US Boating Access Award
Cruising News: BOAT US CHOOSES the CITY OF GULFPORT recipient of their annual BOATING ACCESS AWARD for the GULFPORT MUNICIPAL MOORING FIELD PROJECT

Please Join Us at the Award Ceremony
FRIDAY November 14
10 AM
GULFPORT CASINO

Boat U.S. Vice President of Public Affairs, Margaret Podlich and Assistant Vice President, Public Relations, Scott Croft will bestow a 2008 Boat U.S. Recreational Boating Access Award to the City of Gulfport Mayor, Michael Yates, on behalf of the city, this Friday, November 14th in front of the Gulfport Casino (5500 Shore Blvd., Gulfport) at 10 a.m.
Gulfport will receive international as well as national attention. Local businesses as well as every citizen will benefit in some way by this well publicized, prestigious award.
The nation’s largest association of recreational boaters (approx 670,000) will be honoring the City of Gulfport, FL, for its efforts with improving local waterway access and the development of the Gulfport Municipal Mooring Field.
Boat Owners Association of The United States (Boat U.S.) created the award program in 2007 to highlight successes in protecting water access in a time when boaters were losing marina slips, service yards and launching areas in many parts of the country. The Gulfport Mooring Field is one of six community projects across the U.S. that earned a 2008 Access Award.
The award is based on four criteria: First, the challenges faced in retaining or increasing access in an area; Second, the direct impact or measurable results of the solution; Third, the level of success in increasing awareness of the issue in a community and; Fourth, `repeatability,’ the ability to take the successful approach and adopt it in other areas.
Communities which have promoted the preservation and use of their historic waterfronts and heritage have been able, in many cases, to generate sufficient income from tourism to stave off vertical development and loss of character. Wouldn’t it be nice if Gulfport could grow with grace, prosper and remain the only green spot along the shore of Boca Ciega Bay?
Please Join City Officials and Your Neighbors This Friday at 10:00 AM at the Casino for the Award Presentation.
Best Wishes,
Cindy Davis