Join the crew: Be a clean, green boater

Washington State Department of Ecology

Department of Ecology News Release - August 18, 2009

09-206

OLYMPIA – Many in Washington’s huge maritime community already qualify as clean, green boaters. They are taking individual, doable steps to keep Washington’s waters clean.

Now, the state has made it even easier for all boaters across the state to learn how to protect the very waters they love.

Boaters can find all they need to know on a new Clean, Green Boating Web site from the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology): www.ecy.wa.gov/CleanGreenBoating.

“Boating may seem like carefree recreation, but boat ownership comes with personal responsibilities to keep our waters clean and free from pollution,” said Kelly Susewind, manager of Ecology’s water quality program. “Well-informed boaters can make a big difference in reducing and preventing pollution that can come from boating, plus they can be role models for other boaters.”

Oil and fuel are obvious water pollution risks. As little as a quart of oil, diesel, or gasoline can contaminate acres of water and shellfish beds, and can prove deadly to aquatic life. All oil spills into water, regardless of size, must be immediately reported to state and federal authorities. The Web site tells you how.

Many boats have holding tanks for sewage. This waste must be properly disposed — none can be released into the water. Sewage contains harmful bacteria that can make swimmers sick and contaminate shellfish beds. The Web site has a list and map of all of the pump-out stations across the state.

Boat hulls are often painted with soft, toxic paints that melt or peel away in the water to deter weeds, algae and barnacles from clinging to boat bottoms. Some of these hull paints contain copper and other chemicals that are toxic to salmon and other marine life. If you clean your boat in the water, you can unknowingly release these toxic substances. Know your hull — if it is coated with soft, toxic paint, do not clean it in or near the water or a storm drain. It is illegal to perform underwater cleaning of hulls that have soft, toxic coatings. You can face a fine of up to $10,000.

“A lot of boaters are already enlightened and are working to protect the very environment they enjoy — we want to see their momentum build,” Susewind said.

The Clean, Green Boating Web site dovetails with Ecology’s cornerstone, statewide clean water campaign, Washington Waters – Ours to Protect www.ecy.wa.gov/washington_waters/. The campaign focuses on education to help people improve seven types of human-caused pollution problems.

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Media contact: Sandy Howard, communications manager, 360-407-6408 (desk); 360-791-3177 (cell); sandy.howard@ecy.wa.gov

Clean, Green Boating: www.ecy.wa.gov/CleanGreenBoating

Fueling recreational boats: www.ecy.wa.gov/washington_waters/boats.html