How to be a "Good Mate"

Coast Guard Auxiliary Discusses How To Be A “Good Mate:”
Fast Facts about Vessel Maintenance Pollution

Boating season is at its peak. It’s the time of the year when tens of thousands of power boaters are working on their vessels, keeping them clean and in top shape for the balance of the boating season. Whether you store your vessel on the water or in your backyard, this short editorial will help you be a “Good Mate” and keep the environment “clean & green.”

WHAT ABOUT VESSEL MAINTENANCE POLLUTION?

Over the course of the boating season, vessel maintenance and repair activities take place virtually all around us. These activities include surface cleaning, sanding, washing, waxing, scraping, painting, as well as replacing hardware on the boat, lines, cleats, etc. Moreover, many people will be changing their oil as well as disposing of hazardous batteries, antifreeze, and other toxic materials.

Cleaning products used to keep boats looking ship-shape include soaps, solvents, cleaners, waxes, teak cleaners, and fiberglass, wood, and chrome polishes. A number of these products contain ammonia, phosphates, chlorine, hydrocarbon products and otherwise harmful ingredients that are hazardous to humans as well as the aquatic environment. As a result they should be handled with care and boaters should take the necessary precautions to ensure they do not leach into their neighboring fragile ecosystems.

CLEAN WATER - IT’S THE LAW

The Clean Water Act prohibits the discharge of harmful quantities of pollutants into the waters of the United States. Among other states, Florida has additional, more stringent regulations that compliment federal statutes set forth by the Clean Water Act. As in many cases, ignorance of the law is not an excuse! Therefore, those who take advantage of the many aquatic resources our State has to offer should familiarize themselves with regulations pertaining to specific areas of Florida, such as the No Discharge Zones in the Florida Keys Reef Systems and Dry Tortugas. There are severe criminal and civil penalties that may be imposed for violations of both federal and state laws. Federal penalties can exceed $32,500, plus the cost of the clean up, in addition to whatever state penalties may be imposed.

WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL ANYWAY?

Many of the items used to clean your boat can be quite toxic and harmful to numerous types of marine life. Some examples include hull sandings, which can increase the particulate matter in the water column, reduce the amount of sun light penetrating the water and ultimately, reduce water quality.  Moreover, cleaners and detergents add nutrients to local ecosystems, degrade water quality, and promote the growth of unwanted algae that reduce oxygen in the water, resulting in massive fish kills, which in turn adversely impact the entire food chain.

WHAT’S A SKIPPER TO DO?

Here are some measures boaters can implement to be kind to the environment:

·    Avoid using products that contain chlorine, phosphates, ammonia, hydrocarbons, or any other product labeled hazardous to humans. If a product is hazardous to you, you can bet it’s hazardous to the aquatic environment.
·    Rinse your boat with clean, fresh water after each use. This stops organism growth, extends the life of the protective paint, and reduces the need for heavy duty cleaners. Use more ‘elbow grease’ not more product.
·    Use only the amount of cleaning product you need, and be sure to clean up any spills with a rag and dispose of the rag properly. 
·    Conduct all sanding and scraping operations while the boat is in the boat yard. And use drop cloths to prevent paint chips from contaminating the aquatic environment. If you must sand while the boat is in the water, use a vacuum sander to reduce the amount of debris that gets into the water. 
·    Try using hull paints containing Teflon, silicon, or cayenne pepper rather than toxic metals, like copper and tin. If you must paint the boat’s topside while it’s in the water, make sure you have a tarp to catch any spills.
·    Be sure to dispose of oil and batteries properly. If your marina doesn’t have a hazardous material receptacle, encourage them to obtain one.  You can call 1-800-CLEAN-UP to find the location of a nearby hazardous materials disposal site. Dispose of flares in flame proof containers, or transport them to your local fire department for proper disposal. 
·    Encourage your marina or marine dealer to stock environmentally friendly products.
 
Boaters are only part of the Marine Partnership necessary to ensure a healthy aquatic environment. Marinas also play an important role in keeping our environment ‘clean & green.’ Here are a few things marina operators can do to be ‘Good Mates’:
·  Make sure storm drains located near work areas in the boat                    yard are covered to prevent toxic materials from entering the waterway.
·  Provide clearly marked bins for hazardous waste and otherwise dangerous products. 
·  Stock environmentally friendly products for sale to your customers.
·   Post environmentally friendly cleaning tips at the marina, or include a flyer with cleaning product purchases.

PRACTICE THE THREE R’s
 
We’re not talking about the three Rs ‘RED-RIGHT-RETURN’ that many mariners are familiar with. Here, we’re talking about REDUCE-REUSE-RECYCLE. The gist of this article in how to prevent/mitigate vessel maintenance pollution is on the first R – reduce the use of toxic products whenever possible, and use fewer products and more elbow grease!

As you can see, the introduction of man and his sea faring vessels into our rivers, bays and oceans can profoundly impact the marine environment. But with a little common sense and the knowledge gained from above, we can all enjoy clean, safe waterways to boat, fish, and swim in. Let’s all do our part to maintain a healthy aquatic environment. 

About the Author:

Ed Sweeney is a member of Gold Country Flotilla 33 (Roseville CA), United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, and District 11 Northern Region (which covers Northern CA, NV, and UT). Ed has been boating since the age of eleven, while growing up in New England. He currently serves as District Staff Officer- Marien Safety for District 11 Northern Region, in additional to serving on the deputy Department Chief – national Department of Public Affairs. His Coast Guard qualifications include the TRIDENT device (M pro Pin), coxswain (small boat commander), vessel examiner, instructor, marine visitor, watchstander, and Ferry Inspector. He has a love for boating and the Coast Guard Auxiliary, and recently received a Letter of Commendation from the National Water Safety Congress, and received the Distinguished Public Service Award for 2004 from the CA department of boating and Waterways. He also received a Recreational Boating Safety Award of Excellence in 2002 for the Pacific Region from
the U.S. Coast Guard Office of Boating Safety. His other awards include the Auxiliary Meritorious Service Award, Auxiliary Commendation Award (twice), Auxiliary Achievement Award, Coast Guard Unit Commendation (3 times) and Meritorious Team Commendation, as well as numerous other Auxiliary awards. Ed Sweeny can be contacted by calling
916-284-8507 or you can e-mail him at esweeney-uscgaux@attbi.com.