b'MEMBER NEWSEastern Shipbuilding Group Announces Second Annual Coastline Initiative E asternShipbuildingGroupfromareaweldingandengineeringorating on a joint project. Four reefs (ESG)announcedthelaunchprogramsareinvitedtoparticipatewereconstructedanddeployedin ofthesecondannualEasterninthisyearscompetition.Teamsspring 2023 at Bay Countys LAARS Shipbuilding Group Coastline Initia- willdevelopcreativeartificialreefB permitted area, where they are now tive,acompetitionthatencouragesdesigns, and the winning designs willthrivingandsupportingdiversema-students from area schools to designbe built and deployed in the watersrine life.innovative artificial reefs that supportof Bay and Gulf Counties, helping to coastlinerestoration.Inpartnershiprestore marine habitats and enhanceESG is proud to donate materials to with the Bay County Artificial Reeflocal fisheries. area schools participating in the proj-Association (BCARA) and the Uni- ect and area businesses are invited to versityofFloridaIFASExtension,Last years initiative saw tremendoussponsoraschoolproject.Formore thisinitiativenotonlyfocusesonsuccess, with students from multipleinformation about the artificial reefs environmental preservation, but alsoarea high schools and colleges collab- in Bay County, click here. promotes valuable welding and engi-neering skills among local students. Our Coastline Initiative is more than just a competitionits an opportuni-ty for students to apply their engineer-ing and welding skills to a real-world project that positively impacts our en-vironment, said Joey DIsernia, CEO of Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc.Thecompetitionaimstoinspire creativity while highlighting the crit-icalrolethatartificialreefsplayin ecosystemrestoration.Participating studentsgainhands-onexperience inweldingandmarineengineering, learning how their skills can be used tosupportsustainabledevelopment intheircommunities.Eachreefis designedwithlocalenvironmental conditions in mind, ensuring a lasting positive impact on the marine habitat. Originally launched in fall 2022, the Coastline Initiative is part of ESGs commitmenttocommunitydevel-opment,workforcereadiness,and environmental stewardship. Students 59 NOVEMBER 2024'