Marine
Conservation
Nationally, the water-quality of the lakes, streams,
rivers, estuaries, coastal waters and other waterways that we use for boating,
fishing, and swimming are important to our:
Economy;
Family's health and safety;
Environment; and
Future.
We should all be concerned about potential water-quality
impacts of our own actions and the actions of others, on the water, at the
dock, and even at home, work, or school because we all live, work, and play
downstream of potential sources of waterborne pollutants. As boaters, we
should be especially concerned with the potential impacts of:
Marinas;
Boats; and
Other sources of pollution.
The information provided here will help you to
enjoy clean boating, improve your health and safety on the water and at home,
and encourage you to take up the banner of environmental stewardship in your
daily life so that we may all enjoy the benefits of swimming, fishing and
boating on the Nation's waters.
There are many sources of good information and
many ways you can get involved to help encourage clean boating and good environmental
stewardship.
Read on for an array of information about clean
boating or click on any of the following areas:
How to Be a
Clean Boater
Cleaning Your Boat
Sanding Your Boat
Painting Your Boat
Fueling
and Bilge Maintenance
Clean Motoring
Pumpouts
Clean Trash Discharge
Boating
and Our Environment
Environmental Impacts
of Transportation
Boating and Air Pollution
Fuel and Oil Spills
Boating and Trash
Boating Sewage
Boating and Family Health & Safety
Disease
Causing Microorganisms
Food Poisoning from Fish and Shellfish
Cryptosporidium
Pfiestra Piscicida
Harmful Algae Blooms
Aquatic Debris
Hazards
Habitat Disturbance
Boating and
Our Economy
Money Magazine Survey - Where
to Live for Clean Water and Air
Boating and Our
Future
Clean Marinas
Marina
Hull Maintenance Activities
Marina Engine Repair and Maintenance
Marina
Fuel Station Activities
Marinas
and Boater Education
Gasoline Marine Final
Rule
U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency
U.S. Coast Guard Accident
Statistics
Clean boating and other forms of environmental
stewardship (or the lack thereof) has the potential to affect a significant
portion of the Nation's economy. Each year billions of dollars are spent
as millions of Americans head to the water--a lake, an oceanfront, or their
favorite river--for a few days of relaxation and recreation (U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, 2000). This money is spent on food, lodging, and fuel,
as well as special equipment, licenses, and services, so people can enjoy
themselves on and around the water. Each year, however, closed beaches, fewer
fish to catch, and other casualties of dirty water can affect this dynamic
sector of our economy. Economic factors affected by the quality of our nations
waters include:
- The population density in coastal counties is
341 people per square mile - 4 times the national average. 50% of the U.S.
lives on the coast, which is only 11% of the country's land. These 413 coastal
counties generate $1.3 trillion (32%) of the Gross National Product. The
U.S. coast supports 34% of national employment (over 28 million jobs). The
coast supports 40% of new commercial development and 46% of new residential
development.
- A third of all Americans visit coastal areas
each year, making a total of 910 million trips while spending about $44
billion. The average American spends 10 recreational days on the coast each
year. 94 million people boat and fish annually.
- The travel, tourism, and recreation industries
supported jobs for more than 6.8 million people and generated annual sales
in 1996 of more than $450 billion. Water-related recreation and tourism
make for a large part of those jobs and revenue. Almost all Americans participate
in water-based recreation and tourism and spend about 10 percent of their
income on recreational activities.
- Thirty-five million American anglers, aged 16
or older, spent $38 billion in pursuit of their sport in 1996. Fishing expenditures
increased by 37 percent between 1991 and 1996. Over the period from 1955
to 1996, angler participation rates increased by more than twice the rate
of population growth. If sport fishing were incorporated as a single business,
it would rank 24th on the Fortune 500 list of top sales producers, surpassing
such giants as General Motors, Exxon, Mobil, and AT&T.
- The commercial fishing and shell-fishing industries
need clean wetlands and coastal waters to stay in business. Every year,
the Great Lakes, Gulf of Mexico, and coastal areas produce more than 10
billion pounds of fish and shellfish. The commercial fishing industry contributes
$17 billion to U.S. economy. The seafood industry in California alone generates
sales exceeding $800 million annually, according to the California Seafood
Council.
- Community and business leaders also understand
the potential value of waterfront locations. Before passage of the 1972
Clean Water Act, many of our rivers and waterfronts were so polluted that
no one wanted to go near them, much less invest in new development. Today
waterfronts are often a focal point for urban renewal in many cities. A
waterfront view is a prime selling feature--as long as the water is clean.
Ocean, lake, and riverfront properties often sell or rent for several times
the value of similar properties located inland.
- A Money magazine survey
found that clean water and clean air are two of the most important factors
Americans consider in choosing a place to live.
The cost of polluted water is significant. Americans
pay for dirty water every year. For example:
- Total economic loss to New Jersey and New York
from marine pollution in 1988 was estimated to be from $3 billion to $7.3
billion, costing 46,000 to 100,000 jobs;
- A 1993 outbreak of Cryptosporidium, a disease-causing
microbe, in Milwaukee's drinking water sickened more than 400,000 people
and killed more than 50;
- The toxic microbe Pfiesteria piscicida
has killed millions of fish in North Carolina since 1995 and tens of thousands
of fish in Maryland in 1997;
- Losses to the U.S. seafood and tourism industries
from Pfiesteria are estimated at $1 billion. Maryland alone suffered $43
million in canning and fishing losses in a single year. North Carolina is
now spending millions of dollars for watershed restoration in an effort
to control potential outbreaks in the future; and
- Harmful
algae blooms, which flourish in nutrient-rich waters, have devastated
the scallop industry on Long Island, killed millions of fish in Texas coastal
bays, and sickened many who have eaten contaminated shellfish or visited
stricken seashores.
As evidenced here, clean boating and other forms
of environmental stewardship have the potential to affect a significant portion
of our economy.
Boating and Family Health and Safety
There are a number of environmental concerns that
can affect your family's health and safety on the water. Once the basic issues
of safe boating have been addressed, the issue of clean boating should be
considered in terms of your family's health and safety. An overwhelming majority
of Americans--218 million--live within 10 miles of a polluted lake, river,
stream, or coastal area. States have identified almost 300,000 miles of rivers
and streams and more than 5 million acres of lakes that do not meet state
water quality goals. Many of these waters are not considered safe for swimming
and are unable to support healthy fish or other aquatic life. The quality
of our Nation's waters are evaluated for suitability in terms of potential
water use: http://www.epa.gov/ow/resources/9698/chap3.pdfh
This information was compiled for the Nation's
lakes, rivers, and ponds for the USEPA's
1996/1998 305(b) Report to Congress. Each water body was only rated in
terms of the intended uses, so for example, a dirty urban stream would not
be considered as a potential drinking water or agricultural supply. Forty-two
states, one tribe, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia reported individual
use support status of their lakes, reservoirs, and ponds. The reporting states
and tribes rated aquatic life use and swimming use in more lakes and identified
more impacts on aquatic life use and swimming use than the other individual
uses. These states and governments reported that fair or poor water quality
impacts aquatic life in over 4.4 million lake acres (31% of the 14.2 million
acres surveyed for aquatic life support), and swimming criteria violations
impact 3.8 million lake acres (24% of the 15.4 million acres surveyed for
swimming use support). Many states and tribes did not rate fish consumption
use support because they have not codified fish consumption as a use in their
standards.
There are many pollutants that are considered to
be water quality problems. Most recreational boaters do not spend enough
time in contact with the water to be concerned about many of these pollutants.
There are, however, three problems which are of particular concern for all
boaters. They are:
- disease-causing microorganisms;
- food poisoning from fish and shellfish by chemicals
and microorganisms; and
- injury from waterborne trash.
These problems are caused by poor environmental
stewardship on land and on the water. These hazards and related problems
can be reduced and(or) avoided with proper awareness of these problems, a
little thought, clean boating/good environmental stewardship, and some advocacy
on your part.
Many people do not make the connection between
water-contact and illness, so this problem goes largely unreported and unnoticed.
But, who wants to spend a day dealing with an unwanted microbiological visitor
when they could be out enjoying the water? Disease-causing microorganisms
are a real problem especially for the elderly, the young, and those experiencing
other health problems. For example:
- In 1998 about one-third of the 1,062 beaches
reporting to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) had at least
one health advisory or closing;
- A 1995 study by the Santa Monica Bay Restoration
Project of 15,000 bathers at three Santa Monica Bay beaches found that approximately
1 in every 25 beachgoers who swam near a flowing storm drain contracted
gastrointestinal illness or cold- and flu-like symptoms;
- Seventeen states reported 37 recreational water
outbreaks caused by microorganisms in the latest (1995-1996) available data
from the Centers for Disease Control; and
- Currently EPA estimates that at least a half-million
cases of illness annually can be attributed to microbial contamination in
drinking water.
To protect your loved ones, you need to be aware
of this problem, avoid known problem areas, minimize contact with the water
for 24-48 hours after each storm, and encourage clean boating techniques
that minimize discharge of sanitary waste into the Nation's waters.
Boaters can be a part of
the problem by releasing disease-causing microbes when sanitary waste is
discharged improperly. Commercial and recreational boating play an important
role in American society. Unfortunately, without proper management, these
activities can contribute to water quality degradation. One type of degradation
is the increased concentration of fecal coliform bacteria (found in the intestinal
tracts of all warm-blooded animals). The discharge of untreated or partially
treated human wastes from vessels can contribute to high bacteria counts
and subsequent increased human health risks, and these problems can be particularly
bad in lakes, slow moving rivers, marinas and other bodies of water with
low flushing rates. Section 312 of the Clean Water Act helps protect human
health and the aquatic environment from disease-causing microorganisms and
hazardous compounds which may be present in discharges from vessels by regulating
appropriate treatment levels for different water craft.
How do you find out where it is safe to get out
of your boat and swim? Look at the following information:
- The USEPA has a beach watch program fact sheet that provides information;
- For the latest Beach closing
information click
here;
- For Beach closing information specific to your
area click
here;
- For General Beach closing information click here.;
- For more information about wet weather flows
click here;
Food Poisoning From Fish and Shellfish
Boating and fishing are intertwined. Whether we
are cooking up our own catch, or enjoying a meal at the marina or a shore-side
restaurant, the long-term effects of water pollution are increasingly being
noticed by scientists, health-care professionals, and the general public.
It's not that things are getting worse in terms of water quality, in many
ways the Nation's water quality is improving. It is just that the effects
of bioaccumulation and increasing awareness of the potential dangers have
revealed food poisoning from fish and shellfish. In 1998, 2,506 fish consumption
advisories or bans were issued in areas where fish were too contaminated
to eat.
To protect your loved ones you need to be aware
of this problem and encourage clean boating techniques that minimize discharge
of pollutants into the Nation's waters.
Aquatic debris is one of the more wide-spread pollution
problems threatening our coastal waters and other aquatic habitats. Marine
debris is trash floating on the ocean or washed up on beaches. Debris comes
from many sources including, beachgoers, improper disposal of trash on land,
stormwater runoff and combined sewer overflows to rivers and streams, ships
and other vessels, and offshore oil and gas platforms. Aquatic debris can
foul or damage our propellers, rudders, and hulls causing an unanticipated
emergency. During the late 1990s, collisions with floating debris (not including
other vessels) caused about 15 deaths, 80 injuries, and $600,000 in property
damage per year as indicated by US Coast Guard Accident Statistics. Boaters
can also be injured by stepping on trash and other debris, which can cause
injury, infection and even Tetanus. Therefore, as a safe boater it is wise
to ensure that your crew is up to date on all immunizations and is wearing
water-shoes or other appropriate footwear when launching you boat and when
swimming or wading.
Recreational boating has increased dramatically
over the past few decades, particularly in the 1960s. The inventory of recreational
boats in the U.S. is estimated to have increased from 2.5 million in 1960,
to 7.4 million in 1970, to 8.6 million in 1980, to 11.0 million in 1990,
and 11.9 million in 1996. This is a nearly fourfold increase over the 1960
to 1996 period. All forms of water-borne travel are responsible for a number
of environmental impacts, including air pollution, habitat disruption caused
by wakes and anchors, wildlife collisions, and releases of solid waste and
sewage. The recent USEPA (2000) Report Indicators of the Environmental Impacts
of Transportation provides a great deal of information about marine pollution
as well as pollution from other forms of transportation.
Although air pollutant emissions from maritime
vessels are similar to those from other forms of transportation, there are
key differences. In particular, emissions from maritime vessels tend to occur
over different ecosystems than those from surface transportation. Lower quantities
of total emissions make the effects of vessel emissions less pronounced than
those of motor vehicles. However, emissions have been increasing rapidly
by recreational boats, which has implications for urban air quality. Marine
engines are major contributors of hydrocarbons (HC) and oxides of nitrogen
(NOx) emissions in many areas of the country. In order to reduce air pollution
from recreational boats, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is
issuing regulations that will bring forth a new generation of marine engines
featuring cleaner technology and providing better engine performance. The
Gasoline Marine Final Rule, published in August 1996, establishes emission
standards for new spark-ignition gasoline marine engines used in personal
watercraft and jet boat applications. Controlling exhaust emissions from
new gasoline spark-ignition (SI ) marine engines is expected to result in
a dramatic 75 percent reduction in hydrocarbon (HC) emissions from these
engines by the year 2025. Historical estimates of air pollutants --including
Carbon Monoxide, Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs),
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2), and Particulate Matter (PM10 & PM2.5) from water
craft are available from the USEPA.
Several environmental impacts result from the wakes
of large or high-speed maritime vessels and anchoring. Wakes from large (e.g.,
cruise ships) or fast-moving vessels can cause erosion and vegetative and
coral damage in confined or shallow waters. Wakes can cause strong wave propagation
that is capable of eroding shorelines or stirring up bottom sediments in
shallow areas. Vegetation can be disturbed both by erosion processes and
sedimentation resulting from wakes. Sedimentation reduces the amount of sunlight
available for photosynthetic processes. Corals also are particularly susceptible
to damage from sediments that have been suspended by the action of wakes.
The impacts of wakes are local in nature and likely to be more pronounced
in confined, high traffic areas.
Releases of hazardous materials, especially petroleum
products, from vessels are one of the most publicized impacts of maritime
transportation. Many factors determine the extent of damages caused by petroleum
spills, including type of oil spilled (crude or refined), quantity spilled,
distance of release from shore, time of year, weather conditions, water temperatures,
and currents. When an oil spill occurs, toxic hydrocarbons, such as benzene
and toluene, cause immediate wildlife deaths. Shellfish and nonmigratory
fish, especially those in the larval stage, are the most susceptible to these
chemicals. Other chemicals form sticky, tarlike globs on the surface that
adhere to marine wildlife such as birds, otters, and seals, as well as to
sand, rocks, and almost all other substances. Many animals that come into
contact with such chemicals die from drowning or loss of body heat. Heavy
components of oil that sink to the bottom of bodies of water may have the
most profound impacts on ecosystems. Such pollution can kill or damage benthic
organisms and adversely affect food webs. Oil pollution in the vicinity of
shorelines can cause ecological harm in coastal ecosystems. Humans also experience
health effects from oil spills. Exposure is dependent on how much oil washes
ashore and how much seafood is contaminated and eaten. Some of the chemicals
resulting from spills, such as benzene, are highly toxic to humans.
Another common waste is bilge waste, which contains
wastewater mixed with oil and fuel, and is actually generated by the vessels
themselves. Refueling causes problems similar to those of auto refueling
stations. One major difference, however, is that spills can enter waterways
directly during marine refueling. Like auto refueling, volatile organic compounds
VOC can be emitted in vapors. Underground storage tanks used to hold vessel
fuels can also leak their contents into waterways.
The three major types of shipboard solid waste
are domestic garbage (e.g., galley waste and food packaging), operational
garbage (e.g., used fishing gear, fish processing materials, and items used
for onboard maintenance), and cargo-related garbage (e.g., packaging materials
and dunnage). While garbage generation is substantial for U.S. maritime sectors,
quantifying the amount of garbage dumped overboard is difficult. Maritime
travel is not the source of all marine debris. Land-based sources and stationary
maritime sources, such as oil platforms, account for some portion of marine
debris. Even data on garbage generation are highly uncertain. Other factors,
such as the extremely large distances (often across international borders)
that floatable debris can travel, complicate statistics about vessel garbage.
While these uncertainties affect the accuracy of indicators, the impacts
of debris from vessels are genuine and can be described to some extent.
The most readily observable ecological effects
of solid waste dumping from marine vessels are entanglement, ingestion, and
ghost fishing. Entanglement occurs when wildlife come into contact with marine
debris and become trapped. Affected wildlife includes mammals, turtles, birds,
fish, and land animals that inhabit coastlines. Researchers believe that
substantial numbers of animals die or are injured because of entanglement.
In fact, entanglement is thought to be the cause of serious population declines
among some species. Non-deadly injuries can be serious, causing inability
to breathe, swim, feed, or raise young properly.
In addition to ecological problems, shipboard solid
wastes that are dumped overboard can cause human health problems. These problems
are most notably associated with direct human contact with debris. Examples
of this type of problem include wounds on beaches from sharp debris that
washes up on or near shore and injuries caused by contact with hazardous
chemicals. Other human health hazards associated with debris include diver
entanglement and boat collisions and malfunctions.
Sewage dumping is also a problem for the marine
environment. The popularity of recreational boating in coastal areas has
spurred rapid development of marinas, many of which are not equipped to collect
and process sewage. Boaters who use these marinas often dump sewage in the
water, rather than transporting it to proper pump-out facilities. Even in
cases where marinas or ports are equipped with sewage collection facilities,
many vessels are still responsible for sewage pollution. Some vessels do
not contain a marine sanitation device (boat toilet), and, as a result, boaters
sometimes dump sewage overboard. Some vessels are equipped with marine sanitation
devices that are meant to treat sewage and dump it in the water. If these
devices are functioning improperly, untreated sewage can be dumped. Fees
for pump-out of sewage holds on vessels also give boaters the incentive to
dump sewage illegally.
Sewage from vessels can cause serious local impacts
on water quality and human health, especially in areas of high recreational
boat use. Studies in Puget Sound, Long Island Sound, Narragansett Bay, and
Chesapeake Bay have shown that boats can be a significant source of human
wastes in coastal waters, especially where the volume of boat traffic is
high and hydrologic flushing is low. The two major impacts of sewage discharges
are introduction of microbial pathogens into the environment and reduction
in dissolved oxygen levels. Waterborne bacteria and/or viruses that enter
waterways from vessel sewage discharges can cause serious ailments and diseases,
such as acute gastroenteritis, hepatitis, typhoid, and cholera. Many marinas
are located in or near shellfish growing areas, and sewage dumped from the
boats or at marinas has the potential to contaminate. Pathways of exposure
for humans include both direct water contact and ingestion of contaminated
seafood. Vessel sewage has a high capacity for reducing dissolved oxygen
in bodies of water. Although the volume of wastewater discharged from vessels
is typically small, the organic substances in the wastewater are highly concentrated.
These organics can lead to low levels of dissolved oxygen where vessel traffic
is high. Even treated wastewater can have adverse effects on the environment.
Another effect of vessel sewage occurs when treated wastewaters are discharged
from vessels. These wastewaters are treated with chemical additives, such
as chlorine and formaldehyde, which are generally toxic to marine life.
Activities that are "sustainable" can be maintained.
"Development" is business expansion or growth. Put the two together for sustainable
development and it's defined as growth or expansion that can be maintained
over decades. For coastal communities, it means using natural resources for
growth and development in a way that keeps these resources for generations
to use. In 1972, Congress created a federal law, the Coastal Zone Management
Act (CZMA), announcing a national need to balance economic development with
environmental protection of the coast. In this way, coastal management became
an ideal vehicle for state and federal governments to practice sustainable
development. The CZMA calls citizens, industries and state governments alike
to encourage sustainable development by:
- Balancing ecological, cultural, historic, and
aesthetic values with economic development;
- Restoring deteriorating waterfronts and ports;
- Providing greater public access to the coast;
- Giving priority along the coast to industries
that cannot exist elsewhere, such as fisheries, recreation, ports and shipping;
and
- Funding "special area management plans" that
increase protection of significant natural resources and allow reasonable
economic growth.
Governments are applying this concept to waterfront
revitalization. In rekindling the business aura on a waterfront, local and
state governments invite businesses into the area that take care of the water
resources. Planning committees give preference to businesses that depend
on the water for survival because these businesses aren't likely to move
elsewhere and abandon the waterfront.
Without a long-term plan, growth and development
can harm the resources we need to continue growing. For example, sewage discharge
from poorly located shorefront development will contaminate bays and cause
fisheries and beaches to close; intensive private development will eventually
strain fresh drinking water sources; and coastal storms and mudslides will
destroy homes and hotels that are located too close to the shoreline. In
the end, the entire nation pays the price of unsustainable development.
Unless boating organizations, individual boaters,
marinas, and the recreational boating industry are part of the solution they
are liable to be seen as part of the problem. While increasing laws, regulations,
management measures and other efforts have largely benefited recreational
boaters and the aquatic environment, increasing control on boating activities
may eventually limit access and drive up costs to an unacceptable level.
Therefore, the recreational boating community should be active; not to fight
the rising tide, but to encourage clean boating and environmental stewardship
at all levels.
Marinas and recreational boating are very popular
uses of coastal waters. The growth of recreational boating, along with the
growth of coastal development in general, has led to a growing awareness
of the need to protect the environmental quality of our waterways. Because
marinas are located right at the water's edge, there is a strong potential
for marina waters to become contaminated with pollutants generated from the
various activities that occur at marinas, such as boat cleaning, fueling
operations, and marine head discharge, or from the entry of storm water runoff
from parking lots and hull maintenance and repair areas into marina basins.
It seems that once facility owners and managers take the first few steps
to protect the environment, they quickly take many other steps toward facility
improvement. And the process continues as they strive to become even better
after seeing the positive reaction of their customers following environmental
progress. All felt good that their business activities were also better,
and they have plans to continue making headway toward cleaner marinas and
clean boating.
Pollution prevention uses source reduction and
environmentally sound recycling to reduce or eliminate these impacts. Marinas
can achieve a variety of benefits including lower operating costs, improved
worker safety, and increased customer satisfaction from using pollution prevention.
In addition, the use of pollution prevention is essential for marinas to
meet the requirements of federal and state nonpoint source pollution and
storm water programs. Common marina services can range from hull maintenance
activities (including cleaning and painting), engine maintenance and repair,
fueling operations and boater education.
For hull maintenance activities involving paint
removal, there are a number of alternatives to the commonly used chemical
strippers. In many marina situations, these alternatives may be less toxic
and less expensive. Mechanical sanders and scrapers equipped with vacuums
are effective at removing paint in a way that prevents migration of debris
and residue. Abrasive blasting technologies utilizing sand, plastic media,
metal shot, and cryogenics are currently being used in many industries to
remove paint. In addition, high pressure water jet stripping can be used
and incorporated with technologies to recycle the used water.
If chemical stripping agents are used, it may be
possible to substitute less toxic agents or to use a smaller volume of the
present agent. In addition, solvent strippers can be recycled using an onsite
still. There are also offsite solvent recovery services available. Operating
procedures and employee training can help ensure that only the minimum amount
of agent is used, further minimizing waste generation.
Factors that need to be evaluated when selecting
a paint-stripping technology include hull construction, type of paint to
be removed, volume and characteristic of waste generated, and the cost of
waste disposal. Sources of additional information on these technologies are
provided at the end of this fact sheet.
Pollution prevention measures for boat painting
operations include technology changes, material substitution and good operating
practices. High volume, low pressure (HVLP) painting equipment can
reduce paint emissions as well as improve paint application and minimize
cost. Other painting technologies, such as air-assisted airless and electrostatic
application equipment, are other environmentally sound alternatives to the
conventional high pressure spray application. The proper training and instruction
of spray paint operators will further reduce paint emissions.
Painting operations at marinas should also include
the evaluation of less toxic substitutes for antifouling paints. The purpose
of these paints is to prevent or minimize marine growth on hulls. Less toxic
alternatives are becoming more available for use on boat bottoms. For some
surfaces not immersed in water, such as boat interiors, waste reduction can
be achieved by using water-based paints in place of solvent- based paints.
When performing hull maintenance activities, it
is essential that work areas are organized and best management practices
are set up to further eliminate or reduce the creation of pollution at the
source. This will minimize the environmental impact from cleaning and painting
activities. Painting operations, like other hull maintenance activities,
should occur in an enclosed work area. Where practical, these activities
should take place inside a building or under a roof to minimize contaminated
runoff. Containment pads with dikes of impervious surfaces (concrete) should
be installed. These measures will reduce overspray and prevent contamination
of work area surfaces and runoff into adjacent waters.
If these areas are not available, plastic sheeting
can be used to create a temporary containment pad. A PVC hose or pipe can
be rolled up in the edges of the plastic sheeting to create a dike. Plastic
sheeting or other screening material can be used to create an enclosed work
area. These measures will prevent runoff of debris, residuals, and other
pollutants and allow for the proper segregation and collection of waste streams.
Boat cleaning activities in the slip or dockside
can also present water quality problems. Many products used for cleaning
may be harmful to the marine environment. Less toxic substitutes such as
phosphate-free and biodegradable soaps are now readily available. In addition,
more frequent cleaning with fresh water using a soft, non-abrasive sponge
can minimize marine growth and prolong the life of hull coatings.
Aside from routine boat maintenance, it is recommended
that these activities be scheduled during the boating off-season. This allows
the boat to be removed from the water and activities to occur in a more suitable
work area location. Under no circumstances should in-the-water hull scraping
and paint removal activities be allowed.
Good housekeeping measures, such as regularly scheduled
work area inspections and yard cleanups, will also prevent the migration
of pollutants to adjacent waters. Properly designed work areas for chemical
storage will minimize the potential for spills. Storage areas should have
restricted access and provide for the containment of spills and leaks. Drums
and other containers should be in good condition and kept securely closed
when not in use.
Many significant problems associated with boat
engine repair and maintenance can be eliminated through pollution prevention.
Common waste streams generated from these activities include spent engine
fluids, batteries, worn metal parts, and waste solvents. Marina operators
have a number of options available to reduce or recycle these waste streams.
Proper management of spent engine fluids, such
as waste oil and used anti-freeze, will prevent these materials from contaminating
nearby surface waters. Individual waste streams should be collected in separate
containers and segregated from other waste streams including trash and debris.
These measures will reduce the volume of waste to be managed and improve
the recycling capability of the waste streams. Marinas working together can
implement a recycling program for their area using an outside service.
Waste solvents from parts-cleaning operations can
be recovered by using an onsite distillation unit. In addition, there are
offsite solvent recovery services available to the marina operator. Hazardous
wastes from solvent cleaning operations can be completely eliminated by switching
to an alternative cleaning method such as an aqueous cleaning system. Citrus-
based cleaners are also an effective substitute.
Worn parts and scrap metal can be sold to a parts
remanufacturer or metal recycler. Batteries can also be recycled along with
non-hazardous waste such as cardboard, plastic and aluminum.
Proper housekeeping and spill control methods will
help eliminate spillage of engine fluids and solvents. Drip pans can be used
for product recovery and to prevent loss or runoff. Equipment is available
for product transfer from drums to further prevent spills from occurring.
Fueling operations are a common source of water
pollution due to overfills and spills. Marinas can prevent such incidents
and prepare for spills by developing a spill prevention plan. The plan should
address proper procedures and maintenance of fuel station equipment. In addition,
supplies and equipment for spill response should be identified. Booms and
other sorbent materials should be immediately available and easily deployable.
The plan will also help minimize environmental impact in the event of a spill.
Fuel pump nozzles should be equipped with automatic
back pressure shut-off to prevent overfilling the fuel tank. Fuel nozzles
should not be equipped with a clip designed to keep the nozzle open during
refueling activities. Also, the use of fuel/air separators on fuel tank vents
will further prevent fuel overflows from occurring. Marinas can make these
devices available and promote the their use to boat owners.
Fuel storage tanks should be properly designed
and periodically tested to check the integrity of the system. Storage systems
should have secondary containment. Overflow alarms on tanks can further reduce
the chances of a spill occurring. Accurate fuel storage record keeping can
be used to verify that fuel is not being lost through leakage.
Marinas can further enhance the quality of the
environment by educating boaters on proper waste minimization. A well-operated
marina with an established pollution prevention program will set a positive
example for boaters, resulting in increased environmental protection. Marinas
can provide resources and establish activities in several different areas
to educate boaters and prevent pollution.
It is essential that marinas provide recycling
facilities for all types of solid waste such as plastic, glass, aluminum,
and paper. Marinas should encourage boaters to use recyclable products to
reduce the solid waste impact on the environment. Specially designated recycling
areas should be conveniently located and easily identifiable for boater use.
Marinas should also designate areas for boat maintenance
and repair. These areas should be well maintained and include covered receptacles
for non- recyclable solid wastes. Storm drains located throughout the marina
area should be clearly identified to prevent the dumping of waste materials.
In addition, marinas can provide recycling of waste oil and antifreeze from
these activities.
As a further service to boaters, information on
county household hazardous waste collection events can be provided by marinas.
For marinas that offer fishing charter services,
an area should be established for cleaning fish. Sound fish waste management
practices, including the proper disposal of fish waste, should be established.
Marinas may also be able to a implement a fish composting program.
Marinas can establish policies prohibiting certain
activities that threaten the marine environment. These policies can be established
in a lease or contract with boaters. These policies can address proper boat
maintenance procedures and waste recycling and disposal.
Newsletters, notices in monthly bills, postings
and informal visits with boaters can further promote the benefits of pollution
prevention. Topics such as proper disposal of marine sanitation devices (MSD),
less toxic hull maintenance materials, and recycling will continue to remind
boaters about environmental protection. Inexpensive awards, prizes or other
recognition can be established for outstanding efforts made by boaters.
Boaters who are aware of the positive effects that
clean boating and environmental stewardship can have can make a difference
by rewarding clean marinas and clean manufacturers with your business, by
obtaining and sharing relevant information and by getting involved in the
process.
The small, extra efforts and expenses required
to practice clean boating and good environmental stewardship make sense economically,
for our family's health and safety, for the environment, and for the future
of recreational boating. Clean Boating includes all aspects of boat maintenance,
operation, and housekeeping. Care must be taken during cleaning, sanding,
painting, fueling, motoring, pumpout, and trash disposal to minimize potential
effects on the aquatic environment. Here are a few considerations for the
clean boater.
When washing a boat's deck and hull surface, people
often use products that contain toxic ingredients such as chorline, phospates
and ammonia. Just as these chemicals act as degreasers on the boat, they
also act as degreasers on fish -- drying the natural oil fish need for their
gills to take in oxygen. To reduce your need for toxic products, follow these
tips:
- Rinse your boat only with fresh water after each
use. This will reduce your need for cleansers and heavy-duty products.
- Use old-fashioned cleaning methods, including
baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, borax and "elbow grease".
Sanding and scraping your boat can release noxious
paint and varnish particles into the air and water around you. Always sand
and scrape on shore, away from the water and preferably in a dedicated work
area. Use a vacuum sander, a tool that collects and stores the dust before
it can get into the water or into your eyes and lungs!
To reduce organism growth, many boat owners apply
anti-fouling paints to the boat bottom. However, most of these paints contain
toxic metals such as copper, mercury, arsenic or tributyltin (TBT). All have
severe impacts on human health and the underwater ecosystem; the use of some,
such as TBT, has even been banned by federal law. To learn more about laws
regulating bottom paints, as well as alternative painting products, contact
your state boating agency and your local marine supply store.
Take precautions not to overfill your fuel tank.
If you overflow onto the boat or dock, wipe up the spill with a rag; do not
hose it into the water. If you do spill fuel or oil into the water, do not
disperse it with detergent or soap! That only sends the problem down to the
seafloor where it becomes more toxic and more difficult to clean up. If the
spill is large or if it discolors the surface of the water, you must report
it to the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802 or to the U.S. Coast
Guard on VHF channels 16. Failure to do so is illegal and can cost you civil
penalties and/or criminal sanctions.
If you become grounded, do not attempt to motor
your way out. This could cause serious damage not only to your motor and
propellers, but also to the seafloor and local marine organisms. If you sight
a marine mammal such as a manatee, dolphin or whale, slow down and keep a
safe distance of at least 100 yards. It is illegal to feed, harass, molest
or injure a marine mammal.
Just like lawn fertilizers and manure, human waste
contains nutrients that can unnaturally stimulate algae growth and deplete
the amount of oxygen in the water. Although it is also a repulsive visual
pollutant, our primary concern about sewage in the water is its potential
for carrying disease-causing pathogens to swimmers and shellfish.
Waterborne illnesses attributed to sewage pollution
include hepatitis, typhoid, cholera, and gastroenteritis. The indicators
used to detect the presence of sewage pollution are not the pathogens themselves,
but rather a type of bacteria called fecal coliform bacteria. Fecal coliform
found in water is an indicator of the presence of human waste and the potential
harm for disease. When fecal coliform levels exceed designated public health
thresholds, swimming beaches and shellfish beds may be closed, which can
hurt tourism and deteriorate the quality of life for all of us.
Untreated sewage and other nutrient loading in
a water body can come from various land-based sources including faulty residential,
municipal, or marina septic treatment systems, poor farming management practices,
or direct discharges from shoreside facilities and boats.
Consequently, discharge of raw sewage from a vessel
within the three nautical mile limit of U.S. territorial waters is illegal.
(The Chesapeake Bay and Puget Sound are considered to be within the three-mile
limit). For boaters, this means that any direct flow-thru systems must be
secured while a vessel is navigating inland waters or within three miles
of shore.
Stow all loose items, plastic bags, drink cans,
and other articles properly so they do not blow overboard. Never discard
your garbage overboard. Whatever you take aboard, bring back. Under the Marine
Plastic Pollution Research and Control Act, and the international agreement
MARPOL Annex V, it is illegal to dispose of plastic, or garbage mixed with
plastic, into any U.S. waters. The discharge of any garbage is prohibited
in the Great Lakes and connecting tributary waters.
Polluted runoff is a major source of water pollution
causing beach closings and advisories. More than half the nation's coastal
water pollution comes from runoff. Therefore, clean boating and environmental
stewardship begins at home, even if we live far from the nearest river. It
is storm water from urban, suburban, and agricultural land that eventually
supplies the pollutants that may affect our enjoyment of the water.
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