Greta Jimenez
Boats contaminate the waters they sail on, and with millions of recreational boaters, the small amounts of pollutants released by individual boats and marinas can add up and cause distinct water quality problems in lakes, rivers, and coastal waters. Boat owners must understand their role in reducing water pollution and take every precaution to prevent oil spills and other types of pollution. There are several ways to prevent boat pollution, including selecting non-toxic cleaning products, using four-stroke engines over two-stroke engines, and using low-toxicity lubricants.
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What You'll Learn
Use non-toxic cleaning products
When it comes to boat maintenance and cleaning, it's important to be mindful of the products used to prevent water pollution. Many boat cleaners contain chlorine, ammonia, and phosphates, which can be harmful to plankton and fish. To reduce pollution, it's recommended to use non-toxic and environmentally friendly cleaning products.
Using non-toxic cleaning products is a simple and effective way to reduce the impact of boating on the environment. These products are designed to effectively clean boats without releasing harmful chemicals into the water. By choosing non-toxic alternatives, boaters can help protect aquatic life and maintain water quality.
There are several options available for non-toxic boat cleaning products. Firstly, it's important to research the products and not rely solely on the labels. Manufacturers are not required to list ingredients, and terms like "natural", "non-toxic", and "organic" are often used misleadingly due to a lack of regulation. To make informed choices, boaters can refer to resources like the Environmental Working Group (EWG). EWG scientists compare product ingredients with toxicity databases and scientific literature to create guides and safety ratings for cleaners and ingredients.
In addition to specialized non-toxic boat cleaning products, there are also common household items that can be used. Vinegar and lemon juice, for example, are strong acidic cleaning agents that can dissolve dirt, debris, and grime. They also have antibacterial properties, reducing certain types of pathogens. While these options may not be disinfectants, they offer a cost-effective and eco-friendly way to maintain a boat.
By adopting non-toxic cleaning practices, boaters can play a crucial role in minimizing water pollution. This simple switch can help protect the delicate marine ecosystem and ensure that boating activities are more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
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Prepare for hurricanes
If you own a boat, it is important to have a hurricane plan in place. Here are some steps to prepare your boat for a hurricane:
Haul your boat out of the water
If your boat is trailerable, remove it from the water and store it on land. This is your best option to protect your boat from damage. Choose a storage location that is clear of trees, limbs, overhead wires, and other structures that could be blown down during the hurricane. If possible, store your boat indoors in a garage or storage unit. If you must store it outdoors, anchor the trailer securely to the ground or a fixed object.
Secure your boat
If you cannot move your boat out of the water, there are still measures you can take to secure it. Double all lines and make sure they are in good condition, replacing old ones as needed. Add extra lines to your mooring and attach them to additional points on your boat, such as the mast, winch drums, or bow eye, to distribute the pulling forces. Secure all windows, doors, and hatches.
Remove or secure loose items
Remove anything that isn't permanently attached to the boat, such as paddles, cushions, electronics, and personal items, and store them in a safe place on dry land. Boat parts such as tillers, wheels, and booms should be tightly secured to the boat.
Prepare the boat's systems
Cover the vents in the engine room and plug the exhaust pipes to prevent water from entering. Ensure batteries are charged and bilge pumps are operational. Shut off any other electrical devices and disconnect shore power. Make sure scuppers and drains are clear of debris.
Take safety precautions
If you are in an area that may be impacted by a hurricane, stay informed through sources like the National Hurricane Center and local news media. Practice evacuating your boat frequently to prevent panic in case of an unexpected hurricane. After the hurricane, if it is safe to do so, check on your boat for damage and leaks. Wear protective gear, such as boots and gloves, when inspecting your boat.
By following these steps, you can help minimize damage to your boat and reduce potential pollution caused by boat damage during a hurricane.
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Choose a four-stroke engine
Engines are a major source of pollution in boats, and choosing the right type of engine can significantly reduce the environmental impact of boating. Two-stroke engines have been found to be much more toxic than four-stroke engines of equal power. The emissions of two-stroke engines into the water are highly toxic and persist for more than 14 days. On the other hand, the toxicity of water contaminated by a four-stroke engine is negligible after the same period.
A two-stroke engine releases burnt oil into the air in addition to exhaust emissions, which has a severe effect on odour threshold concentrations. For example, a 15 kW two-stroke engine operating for one hour can make 11,000 m3 of water undrinkable. Four-stroke engines are more efficient due to reduced fuel demand, as fuel is consumed once every four strokes, rather than two. This also makes them better for the environment due to reduced emissions.
To further reduce the environmental impact of four-stroke engines, it is recommended to use lubricants and oils that are specifically designed for these engines. For instance, Mercury Precision Lubricants® products are formulated to meet the unique demands of marine engines, reducing friction and protecting against engine wear and internal corrosion. Additionally, oils such as 10W-30 Mineral 4-Stroke Marine Engine Oil provide outstanding lubrication for internal engine components, reducing wear and tear and improving long-term reliability.
By choosing a four-stroke engine and using appropriate lubricants and oils, boat owners can significantly reduce their environmental impact and contribute to a more sustainable boating industry.
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Use low-toxicity lubricants
Lubricants are essential for the smooth operation of boat engines, but they can also be a source of pollution if they leak into the water. To prevent this, it is important to use low-toxicity lubricants that are specifically designed to minimise harm to the aquatic environment.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved several groups of base oils as "environmentally acceptable", but there is still a need for eco-friendly anti-wear additives to be developed. In response to this need, a multi-lab team is working to create a new group of lubricant additives with significantly improved wear protection and lower aquatic toxicity than traditional options. These additives are designed to be compatible with EPA-approved base oils, resulting in a lubricant that demonstrates superior performance while also being less harmful to the environment.
By using these low-toxicity lubricants, boat owners and operators can reduce the risk of polluting the water with harmful chemicals if a leak or spill occurs. This is particularly important as even small spills from lubricants can have a cumulative impact on waterways, harming marine life and disrupting ecosystems.
In addition to using low-toxicity lubricants, there are several other measures that can be taken to prevent boat pollution. These include proper waste disposal, careful fueling of engines, regular maintenance, and the use of non-toxic cleaning products. By following these practices and choosing less toxic lubricants, boat owners and operators can play a crucial role in protecting marine environments and the organisms that depend on them.
Furthermore, it is important to note that the use of lubricants is not limited to boat engines. Tidal turbines, for example, also rely on lubrication for their gearboxes. As such, the development of eco-friendly lubricants is not only beneficial for boats but also for other marine applications, contributing to a more sustainable future for a variety of industries that rely on the sea.
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Contain and clean up spills
While some incidents are unpreventable, it is important to take every precaution to prevent oil spills. When spills do occur, they should be immediately contained and cleaned up to prevent their spread.
Containment
If a spill is reached within an hour or two, long, buoyant booms can be used to contain the slick and stop the oil from spreading. Booms are long, floating barriers with three parts: a 'freeboard' that rises above the water surface to contain the oil and prevent splashing; a 'skirt' that hangs below the water to stop the oil from escaping under the boom; and a cable or chain that connects the parts to strengthen and stabilise the boom. Sections of the boom are placed around the oil spill area until it is surrounded and contained. However, booms are only effective when the oil is in one spot and cannot be used in rough seas, high winds, or fluctuating tides.
Clean-up
Once the oil has been contained, skimmers or scoops can be deployed onto boats to suck up the oil from the water surface. Sorbents can also be used—large sponges or specialised absorbent materials that act like sponges to absorb the oil.
If the oil cannot be contained by booms, dispersal agents can be used to accelerate the disintegration of oil. These are chemicals that are sprayed onto the spill to aid the natural breakdown of oil components and increase the surface area of each molecule so that the oil bonds with water. However, the use of dispersants can create tarballs and their toxicity can affect marine organisms, especially non-mobile ones such as corals and seagrass.
Other clean-up methods include:
- Manual removal: using shovels or other hand tools to pick up oil from the shoreline, especially when heavy machinery cannot be used.
- Mechanical removal: using heavy machinery such as backhoes or front-end loaders to remove oil.
- Dispersion: applying chemicals to remove oil from the water surface by breaking the oil into small droplets.
- Burning: setting fire to freshly spilled oil, usually while still floating on the water surface.
- Shoreline flushing/washing: using water hoses to rinse oil from the shoreline into the water, where it can be more easily collected.
- Vacuums: using industrial-sized vacuum trucks to suction oil from the shoreline or water surface.
- Shoreline cleaners and biodegradation agents: using chemical cleaners that act like soaps to remove oil, but these require special permission.
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Frequently asked questions
Here are some ways to prevent boat pollution:
- Use a four-stroke engine instead of a two-stroke engine.
- Use a smaller engine.
- Use low-toxicity lubricants.
- Keep your engine tuned and maintained.
- Use non-toxic cleaning products.
- Clean and maintain boats away from the water.
- Use a U.S. Coast Guard-approved marine sanitation device for solid waste.
- Plan marinas carefully to protect water circulation and prevent soil erosion.
Boat pollution can come from many sources, including:
- Spills during fuelling or bilge discharge.
- Poorly maintained sanitary waste systems.
- Poorly maintained pump-out stations at marinas.
- Solvents, paints, oils, and cleaners used for maintenance and repair.
- Fecal matter and other solid waste.
If you have a spill on your boat, it is important to contain and clean it up immediately. Use absorbent pads or booms to prevent the spill from spreading. Notify the Coast Guard and your state spill response office, as well as the marina or fuel dock staff.
Boats can pollute the water through the release of oil, hazardous materials, and other pollutants such as solvents, paints, and cleaners. These substances can harm aquatic life and the marine environment.
In addition to the previously mentioned methods, boat owners can:
- Select a four-stroke engine design over a two-stroke model to reduce unburned fuel discharge.
- Choose less harmful products with lower toxicity.
