Taking Care of the Bilge
Clean Boating Depends on Addressing These Hidden Areas
Preventive maintenance and proactive bilge care will greatly reduce the environmental impact of inadvertent oil discharge from boats.
Water discharged from dirty bilge spaces is a major factor in marina pollution. Engine lubricants and fuel often leak from worn fittings and bearings to settle in the lowest parts of a boat. A steady drip and automatic bilge pump spell a pollution hazard waiting for a violation notice.
A Hidden Problem - Bilge spaces on most boats are covered with cowlings and hatch covers, not easily accessed. A oil leak out of sight is likely to be ignored until a oil sheen is seen on the water. The Oil Pollution Act prohibits any discharge of a petroleum product that produces a sheen on the water. It doesn't take much oil to provide an actionable sheen. As a reminder, using a detergent to disperse a oil sheen can also prompt a substantial fine.
Preventive Maintenance - Routine scheduled engine maintenance is the best solution to preventing inadvertent oil spills. The condition of hoses, seals, bearings and gaskets determines the likelihood of fluid leaks. Care taken while replacing oil and fuel filters reduces the chance of accidental spills. A prudent mariner will place adsorbent pads under the engine while changing the oil. It is a good practice to disable automatic bilge pumps while maintenance activities are underway.
Preventive Measures - There are many products on the marine market designed to address bilge problems. Oil adsorbent pads have been around a while and now there are adsorbent pillows saturated with oil loving microbes that digest excess petroleum. The end goal of any preventive product is to keep oil from being discharged with the bilge water. Oil saturated pads and socks need to be disposed of properly. Contact your harbormaster for recommendations.
Inline Filters – A recent addition to controlling the discharge of oil from bilge spaces are in-line filters that are connected to installed bilge pumps. These filters effectively remove oil from bilge water before it is pumped overboard.
Options – Many marinas offer pump out services for oily bilge water at a nominal fee. It is important to remember oil saturated pads need to be properly disposed and not thrown in with other refuse. The big choice for cleaning bilges is to address them during a haul out. BoatU.S. has an initiative in progress called Help Stop The Drops aimed at encouraging boaters to take care in the fueling and maintenance of their boats. The goal is to reduce the environmental impact of boating and preserve to future opportunities for boating found in maintaining a clean environment. Safe fueling depends on preventing fires and keeping fuel out of the water.
