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10 Tips for Boating Clean and Green
1. Prevent oily discharge from the bilge.
Keep your
engine well tuned to prevent fuel and oil leaks. Place an oil absorbent pad or
pillow under your engine where drips may occur and in your bilge. Check the
pads often and dispose of them as hazardous waste at a marina or nearby
collection center.
2. Spill-proof your oil changes.
For oil changes, use an oil change pump to
transfer oil to a spill proof container. Wrap a plastic bag or absorbent pad
around the oil filter to prevent oil from spilling into the bilge.
3. Spill-proof your fueling practices.
Prevent fuel spills by filling fuel tanks
slowly and carefully and by using absorbent pads or rags to catch drips and
spills. Don't "top off" or overflow your fuel tank and leave 5% empty to allow
fuel to expand as it warms.
4. Do not add soap.
Never use soap to disperse fuel and oil
spills. It increases harm to the environment, and it is illegal.
5. Minimize boat cleaning and maintenance in the
water.
If possible, save maintenance projects for the
boatyard. When performing work on the water minimize your impact by containing
waste using tarps and vacuum sanders, and collect all drips and debris for
proper disposal.
6. Reduce toxic discharges from bottom paints.
Minimize the discharge of heavy metals that
come from soft-sloughing antifouling paints by using a hard, less toxic, or
nontoxic antifouling paint. Use only non-abrasive underwater hull cleaning
techniques to prevent excessive paint discharge. Remember, dry storage and
reduces the need for antifouling paints and saves money.
7. Dispose of hazardous waste properly.
Dispose of paints, batteries, antifreeze,
cleaning products, oil, oil filters and other hazardous wastes at a hazardous
waste collection facility or event. Call 1-800-CLEAN-UP for a location near
you. Recycle paints, batteries, oil, oil filters and antifreeze.
8. Plan A-head! Manage sewage wastes properly.
Never discharge sewage within 3 miles of
shore. Use harbor pump-out stations and shore-side facilities. If you don't
have an installed toilet, use a port-a-potty and empty it at harbor dump
station or bathroom.
9. Stow it, do not throw it!
Keep your trash on board. Never throw
cigarette butts, fishing line, or any other garbage into the ocean. Take
advantage of shore-side facilities to recycle plastic, glass, metal, and
paper.
10. Reduce gray-water discharges
Use a phosphate-free soap to minimize the
impacts of greywater on the marine environment. Also minimize discharge by
doing dishes and showers on shore whenever possible.
