Shark-Free Marinas ... in the Mississippi?!

Here's a great eco-story to start the week for a change. The Harbor Point Yacht Club has just registered as Shark-Free. That's great right?! But get this, the marina is located at Mile 204.2 on the Right Descending Bank of the Upper Mississippi River. That's right, we're now inland.

While SFMI usually focuses it's attention to coastal facilities the Commodore of the HPYC had this to say about a species of shark that is occasionally found far from the oceans, the Bull Shark:

Many years ago a Bull Shark was documented in lock 26, just down stream from our harbor. I plan on posting the sign on one of my docks right at the Harbor Mouth where all vessels entering can see it. It will cause folks to talk about the subject and we will get the message out. As a PADI dive instructor supporting this cause is a natural.

The next time a bull shark makes it's way up the river we hope that conversations like this make people realize that this is part of the animals natural territory. Even more to the point is that these rare events make us aware that all waterways deserve equal protection and consideration from conservation efforts.

Here's a little about the facility

Harbor Point Yacht Club is a dockominium marina located on the Mississippi River in West Alton, Missouri. This private marina offers you an opportunity to own part of the harbor. This area of the river is also known as the Alton Pool, being created by the Melvin Price Lock and Dam, located just downstream of Alton, Illinois.

You would be hard pressed to find a more beautiful harbor along the river than Harbor Point Yacht Club! The well maintained grounds blend the naturally wooded harbor with beautiful flower beds. These flower beds undergo a make over every year as the popular Harbor Clean Up Day helps kick off the new boating season. The harbor offers 77 slips in the sailboat basin and 145 covered slips in the power boat basin, ranging from 40 to 72 feet. Naturally, all slips are floating and the basins and mouth of the harbor are routinely dredged to accommodate the changing river levels.

A popular gathering spot in the summer is the Club House, next to the heated pool. The Club House offers air conditioned relief from the heat with full kitchen and shower facilities. The North Lift House offers a great view of the harbor as the many windows overlook the sailboat basin.

Sounds good to us! Support their business and visit their website at www.hpyc.info

Are you a marina owner/manager? Follow their example and register your facility with Shark-Free Marinas today. Want to get involved with SFMI? Visit our Regional Ambassadors page for more info.