Port of San Diego, Working Waterfront Invite Volunteers to Saturday’s ‘Operation Clean Sweep’

The Port of San Diego and San Diego Working Waterfront are cleaning up San Diego Bay — and they want the public’s help.

The 34th annual Operation Clean Sweep is taking place Saturday from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at various locations around San Diego Bay. The one-day event is intended to remove trash and debris from San Diego Bay and the waterways that enter the bay.

Volunteers are needed to assist with this year’s event and are encouraged to sign up and participate by choosing a location along the bay or within their own community.

The Port says that last year, nearly 1,000 volunteers removed 10 1/2 tons of trash and debris from San Diego Bay and the surrounding waterfront, including shopping carts, discarded bicycles, mattresses, household appliances, tires and other items — many of which were recovered underwater by volunteer civilian, military, and Port of San Diego Harbor Police divers.

“This is the most community-oriented event that our association organizes,” said Sharon Cloward, president of the San Diego Working Waterfront, which represents 800 businesses around San Diego Bay.

“We all want clean water and clean neighborhoods, so we have to pitch in and pick up the trash that comes out of storm drains, or down creeks or from flood channels, mucking up the shoreline or settling onto the bottom of the bay. Our waterfront workers are dedicated to doing their part in keeping the bay clean.”

“As environmental champions, the Port of San Diego is dedicated to protecting the health of San Diego Bay so that all residents and visitors can enjoy it. This is what we promised our surrounding communities and all the people of California,” said Frank Urtasun, chairman of the Board of Port Commissioners.

“We are proud to support Operation Clean Sweep, one of the most impactful environmental cleanups, not just for San Diego Bay and its shorelines, but the entire region.

“Please join us, our partners at the San Diego Working Waterfront, all our port tenants and take part in this important event.”

The organizers expect more than 1,100 volunteers, who get a T-shirt and an afterparty on Shelter Island at Shelter Island Shoreline Park, 2232 Shelter Island Drive.

The t-shirt doubles as a ticket for a free meal from Leilani’s food truck. Festivities also include kids’ soccer activities with San Diego FC, entertainment by DJ Justin Kanoya, raffles, a Port of San Diego Harbor Police Department command van display, booths, prizes for the most unusual trash found, and more.

Participants can select from locations around San Diego Bay, including Barrio Logan, Chula Vista, Coronado, the Embarcadero, Harbor Island, National City, Seaport Village and Shelter Island. There are public and private cleanup sites.

City News Service contributed to this report.