Clean Boating Tip Sheet


Vessel Cleaning and Maintenance

 

As a boater, you are well aware of the care your vessel requires In order to keep  your boat safe, reliable, and attractive, you must clean and maintain it As you do so,  minimize environmental impacts by following the recommendations listed here. Caution is necessary because your choice of products and activities can have serious  impacts on water quality and aquatic life. For example, if paint chips from a hull are not  contained, they may end up in the water. The heavy metals in the paint chips may then  be consumed by mussels, worms, and other bottom-dwelling creatures and passed up  the food chain to fish, birds, and humans. Clean Carefully · Wash frequently with a sponge or nonabrasive pad and plain water. This approach is  very effective at removing salt. Additional "elbow-grease" is required to remove stains, · When detergents are say, use soaps that are phosphate-free, biodegradable, and  non-toxic. Any soap should be used sparingly because even non-toxic products can be  harmful to wildlife. For example, detergents will destroy the natural oils on fish gills,  limiting their ability to breathe. · Wax your boat, if appropriate. A good coat of wax prevents surface dirt from  becoming ingrained. · Clean teak with a mild soap and abrasive pads or bronze wool. This method is safe  for the environment and better for the boat than the solvents in standard teak cleaners  that tend to eat away at the wood and to damage seam compounds. · Avoid detergents that contain ammonia, sodium hypochlorite, chlorinated solvents  (bleach), petroleum distillates, and lye. · Try some of the alternative cleaning products listed on the reverse side of this page. Maintain Mindfully · Collect all paint chips, dust, and residue. Dispose in regular trash. · Share leftover paint and varnish. · Use less toxic propylene glycol antifreeze. · Avoid overkill. Select a bottom paint developed for the mid-Atlantic region. Recycle Regularly · Recycle used oil, oil filters, and antifreeze. · Bring used solvents and waste gasoline to local hazardous waste collection days. · Call 1-800-4-RECYCLE for locations of recycling centers and information about  hazardous waste collection.  Be a Conscientious Consumer · Read product labels. Labels convey information about the degree of hazard  associated with a particular product. For example, DANGER equates to extremely  flammable, corrosive or toxic; WARNING indicates that the material is moderately  hazardous; and CAUTION signals a less hazardous product. Select products that  contain no warnings or which merely CAUTION consumers. Be wary of unqualified  general claims of environmental benefit, e.g., "ozone friendly." A better more  meaningful label would read, "This product is 95 percent less damaging to the ozone  layer than past formulations that contained chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)."                                        · For additional  information about  environmentally responsible products contact Green Seal.  Environmental standards for consumer goods. Green Seal is an independent, nonprofit  organization that sets environmental standards for consumer goods. Products that meet  their criteria are awarded a "Green Seal of Approval." You may search Green Seal's  database of Green Seal certified, environmentally responsible products at:  http://www.greenseal.org/ or call (202) 588-8400. .While baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice and vegetable oils are far less harmful than  bleaches, scouring powders or detergents, they are still toxic to marine life. Use  cleaning products sparingly and minimize the amount discharged into the water. Never  dispose of any cleaning products down the thru-hull drain: dispose of them on shore.

                                            ALTERNATIVES TO TOXIC PRODUCTS 
             
               


  Additional Equipment

The following are  Recommendations for equipment to help reduce marine pollution. There are no laws  requiring this equipment                                 NOT BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO BUT - BECAUSE YOU CARE! Bilge The bilge is the "dirtiest" area of most boats and the source of pollution of our waters.  Any steps to reduce the oil in the bilge will reduce the possibility of this oil being  dumped overboard by the bilge pump. There is equipment that can be added or  modified within the bilge to reduce the oil in the bilge and thereby reducing the  possibility of oil being pumped overboard  Absorbent Materials:                                                                     Absorbent pads, Bilge pillows, booms and can be install under the engine or drip pans.  They come in various sizes. The bilge pillows and booms are bio-remediating and will  absorb 25 times their weight in oil and fuel. They float on water to absorb fuel and oil.  The do not disintegrate and will last for months, even if left in the bilge. They will make  your job of cleaning oil and fuel much easier. · Inspect regularly to ensure that the saturation point is not reached WARNING Do not expose to detergents or dispersants Exposure may cause the absorbent  material to become hydrophilic, allowing it to absorb water, as well. Float Switches: There are various types of float switches that start the bilge pump when the water  reaches a certain level.                                                                Simple type This switch shuts off leaving about an inch of water. The amount of water left is  dependant upon the factory setting and how the switch is mounted. · Check your float switch to ensure a level of about an inch or more is left. This will  reduce the possibility of pumping oil overboard, (oil floats).                                                                  Smart Switch The smart switch shuts off before the bilge can pump oil overboard.  NOTE: The above pictures are for illustration only and DO NOT constitute a product  endorsement by the U.S.C.G. Auxiliary.                                                          Fuel: Air/Fuel Separators There are various models of separators, they install in the fuel vent line and prevent fuel  from escaping. The gas only (shown above, (Left) is designed for gas only. The one on  the left can be used for gas and diesel. No Spill Fuel Saver: Attaches to vent line and hull with suction cups and catches  overflow in a bottle. The above is just one example. You will find a variety of  outside fuel vent attachments at your marine store. Sure Pour® Nozzle: This nozzle attachment to your fill tank automatically stops the flow to the boat fuel  tank when the tank is full.                         Resources     The resources listed in this tip sheet are for your additional reading on the subject of  Marine Pollution. This bibliography lists the recommended publications addressing clean boating and  clean marine practices. The bibliography gives documents that are useful, practical, and  readily available to the general public. Laws  Federal The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 33 parts 151 through 157 relate to pollution.  The CFRs are on line at: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/cfr/index.html                                                                           Sources: This presentation was developed from the following primary sources: 1. The State of Maryland, "Clean Boating Lesson Plan" Additional Reading 1. "A Citizens Guide To Plastics In The Ocean: More than a Litter Problem", 1994,  Center for Marine Conservation,1725 DeSales Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20036,  (202) 429-5609 2. CLEAN BOATING GUIDES "What Responsible Boaters Can Do to Keep New York's Water Clean",  Source: New York Sea Grant Publications University of Florida, PO Box 110409, Gainsville, FL 32611; SGEB-27 3. "Sound Information: A Boater's Guide," Source: Puget Soundkeeper Alliance,415  West Dravus Street Seattle, WA 98119; 206-286-1309  4. PUMPOUTS : "The Clean Vessel Act of 1992 Pumpout Grant Program: American  Success Stories", Source: Robert Pacific, Division of Federal Aid, 4401 N. Fairfax  Drive, Room 140, Arlington, VA 22203; 703-358-184 5. "The Clean Vessel Act Educational Materials Sourcebook" , Sample brochures,  fact sheets, public service  Announcements, logos on disk, Source: Steve Farrell, Division of Federal Aid, 4401  N. Fairfax Drive, Room 140, Arlington, VA 22203; 703-358-1845  6. "Disposal At Sea", Commandant (G-MOR-1), United States Coast Guard, 2100  Second Street, SW Washington, DC 20593-0001 7. MARINA ECOLOGY: " Pollution Impacts from Recreational Boating: A  Bibliography & Summary Review Source: Rhode Island Sea Grant Communications Office, University of Rhode Island  Bay Campus, Narragansett, RI 02882; 401-874-6842 #P1134; $6 Interesting Publications 1.Buller, Pat. 1995. Clean Marina Clean Boating Clean Water Partnership. Seattle  WA: Puget Soundkeeper Alliance.  2.Clifton, Clay., and Leigh T. Johnson. 1995. Clean Boating Tips. San Diego, CA:  California Sea Grant, UCSGEP-SD 95-7 3.McCoy, Erika, J .A. and Leigh T. Johnson. 1995d. Boating Pollution Economics &  impacts, California Sea Grant, UCSGEP-SD 95-8Practical Sailor. 1997. "Oil-Safe  Bilge Pump Switches", Practical Sailor. May 15, 1997. Pp 12-15.   CITIZENS POLLUTION REPORT FORM These are the types of questions that you will be asked when you report a pollution  incident. Please answer the following questions to the best of your ability then contact  one of the following: Local Coast Guard Station: VHF Channel 16 Coast Guard National Response Center at 1 (800)424-8802

           

Home | About | Boating Info | Boater Classes | Members Area | Flotilla Officers | Search Site
Contact Us

Disclaimer & Privacy Statement

Page last revised on - 07/06/2004