Community Updates

ABYC is hosting a number of online certification courses in October and November. Online course highlights include: • ABYC instructor leads LIVE online sessions with Q&A • Recordings of each session available the next day • Online proctored certification exam Courses include: ABYC Standards Certification Oct 11 - Oct 13 (3 days/week for 1 week, 3:00pm – 4:30pm ET each day) Diesel Engines Certification Oct 18 - Oct 27 (3 days/week for 2 weeks, 3:00pm – 4:30pm ET each day) Marine Electrical Certification Sept 6 - Sept 22 (3 days/week for 3 weeks, 9:00am – 10:30am ET each day) Marine Corrosion Certification Nov 1 - Nov 17 (3 days/week for 3 weeks, 3:00pm –4:30pm ET each day) Questions? Call 410-990-4460 or email education@abycinc.org

Southern Tides Magazine is happy to announce that we'll be adding a new feature in which we'll share a selection of reader photos each month.

We live on a beautiful stretch of coast and taking photos of it is a favorite pastime for many.

The first feature will run next month in the October 2022 issue, and will showcase reader photos of local shells. This layout will be similar to this issue's bird photo feature and multiple images will be selected.

While some months will be themed, in other months readers will simply be invited to share any of their favorite photos of coastal Georgia.

Photos can be submitted online in the magazine's Flickr group. Each month information will be posted about what type of photos should be submitted, along with instructions.

To join the group and submit photos, please visit www.flickr. com/groups/southerntides/

Photo by Nick Riccio, Jr.

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The Georgia Marine Business Association (GAMBA) hosted their annual Summer Social on July 28, at the Thunderbolt Marine crew lounge on River Drive. 39 businesses were represented at the event, as were four not-for-profit organizations with marine ties, and multiple other guests, including the Mayor of Thunderbolt, Doug Williams.

Food was provided by Tortuga's Island Grille and guests enjoyed an open bar.

The Georgia Clean Marina Program, of which GAMBA is a partner, was represented and information about the program was available for guests.

Raffle prizes were donated by the following businesses: Bull River Marina • Dunbar Yachts Fish Tales & Ft. McAllister Marina Georgia DNR • Gilligans Beverage Center Gray's Reef Nat'l Marine Sanctuary Hale Marine Services • Half Moon Marina Hepaco Environmental • Hinckley Yacht Services

Hogans' Marina • In My Waters • Isle of Hope Marina Live by the Tides • MarineMax • Oyster N Oak Paxton Company • Prop Doctors, LLC

River Supply & River Services • Savannah Bend Marina

Southern Tides Magazine • Sunbury Crab Co. & Marina Thunderbolt Marine, Inc. • Tortuga's Island Grille Zulu Marine Services, Inc. $800.00 was raised in raffle prize ticket sales. Proceeds have been equally divided with $400.00 going to Maritime Bethel Savannah (www.maritimebethelsavannah.com), and $400.00 going to GAMBA's Tom Wright Memorial Marine Trades Scholarship Fund.

GAMBA was organized in 1991 to benefit marine businesses in coastal Georgia. Information about membership can be found at www.georgiamarinebusiness.org.

UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant is hosting its 4th annual Coastal Georgia Tourism Conference on Thursday, October 27, at Springfield Legacy Foundation in Midway.

The conference will bring together businesses, tourism officials, government representatives, researchers and community organizations working in tourism and hospitality along Georgia’s coast.

Attendees will be able to network with other professionals while learning about current issues impacting coastal tourism and hospitality sectors.

Presentations will address current industry and travel trends, local economic impact studies, ecotourism training opportunities, revitalization of the Georgia Grown HWY 17 Trail tourism connections for Georgia’s emerging aquaculture industry and cultural tourism planning efforts for the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor.

To register, visit: gacoast.uga.edu/gatourism

· Locally harvested oysters and great food · Live music by CITY HOTEL

Purchase tickets online at gacoast.uga.edu/oysterroast

Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) launched a county-by-county campaign to update planning and zoning ordinances in 2020.

While these efforts are ongoing, ORK is adding resources for citizens to organize and conduct advocacy on their own.

“With 5,500 square miles to cover, ORK relies on the assistance of residents across the watershed,” says Damon Mullis, executive director and riverkeeper. “Reporting pollution issues to attending local municipal meetings to sending photos from a day on the river – all of this helps us keep our waterways safe.”

This tool kit compiles county contacts and ordinances but it also provides lists and ideas for checking the compliance of the proposed project.

“ORK will continue to work with local governments and citizens to pass updated ordinances, but this will give citizens a blueprint for expressing their concerns today,” says Meaghan Walsh Gerard, communications and administrative director. “It’s key that residents know they do not have to simply accept destructive development practices.”

The tool kit is available for download at: www. ogeecheeriverkeeper.org/tool-kit-for-citizens/

Contacts and links will be updated as needed.