Cruising with a boat offers one of the most satisfying travel opportunities available. Most areas accessible only by a boat are pristine and generally less traveled. Recreational boating continues to be a major growth industry worldwide because of the unique experiences it can provide. The potential for its continued growth could deteriorate because of carelessness that causes injury or damage to the environment. Boaters can do many things to lessen their impact on the environment and serve as good stewards of recreational resources. Practices that promote this stewardship are often described as clean boating. There are also many marinas that are now certified as being clean marinas for promoting these same practices. Here are a few things you can do to protect the environment and your boating future.
You may experience an oil spill at some point in your maritime career. There are several things you can do to minimize the amount of product introduced into the environment. Take action immediately to stop a spill at its source. It could be a leaking hose or broken cap. Carry adsorbent pads onboard for these contingencies. You may be able to block your scuppers or build dikes to contain a spill. Once the source is secure, take action to clean up the mess. Use adsorbent pads or pillows to capture the oil. Avoid using soap or detergent on a spill. It is illegal and only moves the problem to another place. Dispose of oily waste properly. Once you have taken action to contain a spill, report it to the Coast Guard. You can call on VHF channel 16 or call the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802. The Coast Guard can't be everywhere. If you come across an oil spill, they would like to hear about it. Fueling a boat improperly can cause an oil spill. Taking a few Safe Boat Fueling Precautions can reduce the chance of this happening.
It's an unpleasant subject, but boaters that spend any appreciable time onboard a vessel will need to deal with sewage and its proper disposal. Untreated sewage can promote the spread of waterborne diseases, contaminate shellfish habitat and degrade water quality. Coast Guard regulations prohibit the discharge of sewage within three miles of the coastline. In many areas, this restriction extends much farther from shore. Use approved shore based pumpout stations to help reduce pollution and other associated problems. Federal Clean Water Act funding is available to help marinas to install pumpout facilities.
Keep your vessel shipshape. Loose objects can cause falls. Open containers of fuel or paint can fill with rainwater and overflow. Don't store excess equipment on your slip finger. Obstructions on your boat deck or finger float can hamper access by emergency service providers. Many incidents occur through lack of thought. The article Stupid Boater Tricks describes a few of these disasters.
Boats need to be maintained and stored properly. Good maintenance is required to operate them efficiently. Boat maintenance can be performed in an environmentally friendly manner. Clean hulls in an approved location and capture hull scrapings and sanding products with a tarp. Rent a dustless sander for hull preparation. Avoid cleaning boat hulls in the water. This can dislodge antifouling paint and introduce it into the environment. Try to use antifouling bottom paint that contains a minimal amount of active biocide. Avoid soft or ablative type bottom paints. Purchase only enough paint to complete your job. Use propylene glycol to winterize water lines, not the commonly available ethylene glycol used in automobiles. Ethylene glycol is poisonous to many animals. Use a fuel-stabilizing additive in your fuel tanks if the boat will not be used for a while. Remove lead-acid batteries from stored boats.
There are many more hints and tricks that can be used to ensure you have a clean boat. Many marinas use what are called best management practices (BMP). Ask your harbormaster for a copy. You are first defense in our efforts to protect the water environment and safeguard our avocation.
