Using Antifouling Bottom Paints
Environmentally Sensitive Use of Bottom Paints
Tips on how to use antifouling paints in an ecologically friendly manner.
Environmentally responsible boaters will be concerned with the antifouling bottom paint used on their vessels. Antifouling paints by their very design are toxic and meant to suppress the growth of marine organisms. The impact of marine growth on boat hulls varies dramatically with the local climate. We have much less trouble with bottom growth here in Valdez, than a boater would experience in San Diego. Most boaters clean and paint their hulls in the fall as part of winterizing their vessel. Proper prepartion of the hull will add the process.
The runoff, overspray and residue associated with bottom painting builds up in the environment. Technology has begun to provide improvements to poisonous antifouling paint. Many of the new products on the market attempt to prevent marine organisms from being able to attach themselves to the hull. Still the most common biocide in use for bottom paint is copper.
There are things boaters can do to limit and help prevent damage to the environment caused by antifouling paint. Procedures like this are called Best Management Practices or BMPs. Here are a few suggestions for your next haulout:
Liquid and Aerosol Paint Best Management Practices
- Use antifouling paints that contain the minimum amount of toxin necessary for expected conditions
- Avoid the use of soft ablative paints and use water based paints where possible
- Minimize the use of paint sprayers on boats. Use brushes and rollers whenever possible
- Tarp or shroud vessels to avoid overspray or runoff of paint unto the ground or into the water
- Use a designated area to mix paints, solvents and reducers
- Purchase only enough paint to complete the job
- Allow empty paint cans to dry out completely prior to disposal
If you own a trailerable boat, consider hauling it out and cleaning it regularly on the uplands. Wax the hull regularly. This will make it easier to clean, reduce adhesion of marine growth, and improve your fuel economy.
