 What
Boaters And Marina Managers
Can Do To Keep Our Waters CLEAN
Good boating practices are
common sense things you can do
to avoid polluting the
environment.
Ecology's
Resource Manual for
Pollution Prevention in Marinas can assist boaters, marina
managers, harbormasters, and yacht clubs to develop good boating
habits and sound environmental practices.
Boating Tips
Why Good Boating Practices
There are tens of thousands of
boaters in Washington. It is important that all boaters
are careful when fueling and keep their boat well maintained.
Poor boating practices can have a significant impact on the
health of our waters, wildlife and economy.
To minimize the environmental
damage a fuel spill can cause report it immediately by calling
800-OILS911 (state requirement) and the
U.S. Coast Guard at
800-424-8802.
Stop Pollution Before It Starts
The best way to protect
our waters is by preventing
pollution before it starts.
Here
are some general tips for boaters and marina operators:
- Fill fuel tank only 90%
capacity. Do NOT top off. Remember that fuel expands as
temperatures rise.
- Keep your boat well
maintained and mechanically sound. Regularly check fittings,
fluid lines, engine seals and gaskets. Maintained boats save
money and prevent spills.
- Place a sorbent pad in the
bilge area to capture any petroleum products.
- Do NOT flush or drain
detergents or soap into the water.
- Safely dispose of used oil
and filters, batteries, unused paint, solvents, antifreeze
and other chemicals at your county hazardous waste
collection site. Many auto parts stores will also take these
products.
- Do not discharge sewage,
whether treated or not, in the marina basin. Many marinas
provide sewage pump-out facilities as a free or low cost
service.
Tips for
Good
Environmental Boating Practices
- Shut off all engines and
other ignition sources before fueling including the bilge
pump.
- Know where fire
extinguisher(s) are located.
- Use oil resistant gloves
during fueling/handling of hose.
- When handling the hose and
nozzle, place a sorbent pad over and around the nozzle or
use a spill collar around the hose nozzle to prevent fuel
from splashing out.
- Have a second person watch
the fuel vent if you cannot reach or see it to alert you to
stop if fuel escapes.
- Use oil sorbents or other
devices to catch drips under the fuel vent(s) if safe to do
so. Many marinas provide these products to prevent spills.
- Pay attention while you're
fueling. Avoid all distractions.
- Know the fuel capacity of
your tank and only fill to just past three-quarters or 90%
if you can accurately gauge your tank. Do not top off since
this is the most common cause of spills. Remember, fuel
expands as temperatures rise.
- Reduce the speed of fuel
flow once you are two-thirds full. Slower in this case is
safer.
- If you spill oil, do not
use soaps or detergents to "make the spill go away." It is
toxic to the environment. Soap pushes oil into the water
column rather than allowing it to evaporate. It is also
illegal to disperse oil.
For additional information on
safe fueling practices click here:
Boater Training & Exam
- Keep your boat well
maintained and mechanically sound. Regularly check fittings,
fluid lines, engine seals and gaskets. Fix any fuel or oil
leaks as soon as possible. Maintained boats save money and
prevent spills.
- Many boats spill from
leaky fuel systems just after replacement. Double check the
work four hours after to catch any problems early.
- Never drain engines fluids
into the bilge. Keep bilge area as dry as possible. Many
products are available to help with changing fluids.
- Use oil sorbents to clean
oily bilges. Do not use detergents or bilge cleaners.
- For large repairs or
projects like sanding and painting, always haul out your
boat at a boatyard.
- For small projects (less
than 25% of the topside area), capture and contain
all dust,
drips and debris by wiping it clean frequently.
- Use a tarp when doing
maintenance and painting.
- Use a vacuum sander when
doing small repairs.
- If your boat hull has soft
toxic paint (ablative or sloughing), do NOT clean it in or
near the water, or near a storm drain. Take it out of the
water to a facility that collects all discharges and debris.
- Wash with fresh water and
spot clean to prevent dirt build up. Use more "elbow grease."
- Use less harmful cleaning
products, including baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice,
and borax.
- Use environmentally
friendly bio-degradable soap alternatives.
- Do not allow detergents or
soapy water to go into the water.
- Store oils, soaps,
chemicals and other hazardous materials securely.
- Safely dispose of used oil
and filters, batteries, unused paint, solvents, antifreeze
and other chemicals at your county hazardous waste
collection site. Many auto parts stores also take many of
these products.
- Buy only what you need.
Many less-toxic products work just as good and are safer for
you as well.
- RECYCLE!
- Fix all fuel and oil leaks
as soon as possible.
- Place a sorbent pad under
engine and fuel lines to capture any oil that may leak.
- Do not drain engine fluids
into the bilge. Keep the bilge area as dry as possible.
Many
products are available to help with changing fluids.
- Use oil sorbents to clean
oily bilges. Do not use detergents or bilge cleaners.
- Dispose of oil soaked
sorbents as a hazardous waste.
- Do not pump contaminated
bilge water overboard; use approved shore-side facilities.
Many marinas provide this as a free or low cost service.
- Do not discharge treated
or untreated sewage. Many marinas provide sewage pumpout as
a free or low cost service.
- Use sewage pumpouts, Porta-potti dump stations or mobile pumpout services.
Untreated discharges are prohibited in State waters.
- Boats with an onboard
toilet are required to have a U.S. Coast Guard certified
marine sanitation device (MSD), preferably a Type II holding
tank.
- Bring portable toilets
ashore for proper waste disposal.
- In-water cleaning of boat
hulls that have ablative or soft antifouling paints is
prohibited.
- Use pressure-wash haul out
facilities that collect and treat wastewater.
Be a Good Steward of Our
Waters
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