Keeping Boats and Gear Clean
Protecting Aquatic Ecosystems from Toxic Cleaning Chemicals
Sep 17, 2007
Cleaning a boat hull and shipboard activities like showering and dish washing contaminates great quantities of water with minute amounts of detergents, oils, and other toxic cleaning chemicals. Most cleaning compounds contain phosphates and chemicals that can harm the aquatic ecosystem. Water tainted with these chemicals is known as process or grey water. While toxic chemicals can harm plants and animals directly, phosphates promote excessive growth of algae. Once a population of algae peaks and begins to decompose, it robs the water of dissolved oxygen that negatively affects fish and other aquatic wildlife.
Clean Boating Practices - The best course of action for a green-minded boater is to do as much cleaning as possible at home. Doing the laundry and washing the boat at home directly diverts process water from entering the marine environment. A number of clean boating practices are detailed in Volume 4 of Alaska Seas & Coasts: Clean Boating, a publication available on-line from the University of Alaska Fairbanks Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program.
Hints to Reduce the Impact of Cleaning - Soaps and detergents persist in the aquatic environment. These are a few hints that can lower the impact of keeping your boat and gear clean:
- Wash things less frequently
- Ensure your vessel has grey water storage tanks installed
- Retain all wash water onboard for later safe discharge
- Wash dishes immediately after use, before they can dry
- Wash dishes ashore when it's possible
- Moor in a marina that has good upland shower, laundry and washroom facilities
- Do necessary cleaning at home or at our marina's upland facilities
- Keep a good coat of wax on your boat. It will help keep it easier to clean
- Avoid harsh cleaning agents and detergents
Biodegradable Soaps - It should be noted by boaters that soaps and detergents advertised as biodegradable or environmentally friendly still contain phosphates that encourage the growth of algae. It is difficult to verify the many commercial claims of products being non-polluting or eco-friendly. Boaters should also avoid using detergents to remove oil sheens from the surface of the water. Spilled oil or fuel will eventually evaporate, if soap is used to disperse a sheen, the oil is sunk to the bottom were it will linger for a long period in the environment.
Alternative Boat Cleaners - There are other, more environmentally friendly chemicals that can be used to clean on your boat. A few examples:
- Fiberglass - Use a mixture of baking soda and salt
- Copper and Chrome Surfaces - Use a combination of either vinegar or lemon juice and salt
- Window Cleaning - Try a solution of vinegar and water
- Scouring Shower and Toilet Surfaces - Wet the surface, apply baking soda, scrub and rinse
Boaters can lessen the environmental impact of their activities. It takes a little more effort, but ensures the resources we depend on for recreation remain healthy and available for our continued use.
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