Environmental
The Great Lakes Group and its affiliated companies are committed to policies and new equipment that support a sustainable environment. As a signal to all, our Cleveland Headquarters flies our environmental flag. The so-called “Great Lakes Green Flag” which was specifically designed for our companies features the Cuyahoga River, Lake Erie, and the “green” environs of nearby Wendy Park.
The new vessels and equipment we construct or repair minimize their environmental impact through use of advanced diesel engines and associated equipment which are specifically designed to reduce air emissions and other environmental toxins. Recyclable materials are also used in the construction and procurement processes wherever possible.
The land now utilized by Great Lakes Shipyard is located on the site of the old American Shipbuilding Corporation shipyard from the early 1900s which operated in the early 1900s with 100+-year old buildings and structures. The site was first identified as one of the top six national “superfund” sites, thereafter remediated to a “Brownfield” site, and now, with further remediation, has been restored for industrial use or designated as “No Further Action,” the highest standard. The redevelopment of this substantial waterfront property into a productive shipyard work place is quite an accomplishment after being idled for many decades.
Our new headquarters, the shipyard facilities, and the Travelift incorporate many sustainable design elements and construction practices that significantly reduce the negative impact of industry on the environment through the incorporation of “GREEN” technology in their designs. The host of “GREEN” initiatives include a stringent Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan; bulkheading; a new sanitary system; rapidly deployable waterfront containment systems; a bio-retention basin and filtration system for removing sediments in water run-off which replenishes the underground aquifer; use of recycled and recyclable materials; construction waste management; indoor air quality management; daylighting and tinted glass; photo light sensors to conserve energy; silver roofing for reflectivity; and substantial landscaping. Mindful of post 911 homeland security requirements and being co-located with the City of Cleveland’s Garrett A. Morgan Water Plant, the new facilities incorporate dock and property outdoor lighting, security fencing, motion detectors, card swipes, remote cameras, and 24-hour monitoring that includes fire detection and security alarm systems.
