Boat Green, Boat Friendly- 10 Great Tips to Boating Green

As boaters, we value the ocean and the marine world. Oceans takes care of us in many ways…they provide us food, beautiful sunsets, a playground for our boats, and peace and serenity, to name a few.

We should, in turn, take care of our oceans. More than ever it is important to stay mindful of our impact on the environment as most marine plants and animals depend on a balance of nutrients and oxygen for survival and many routine boating practices can disrupt this delicate balance.

Photo by João Vianna

There are, however, many ways this disturbance can be avoided. Discover Boating has distinguished 10 great ways to engage in eco-friendly boating that take minimal effort and in no way contradict our beloved boating lifestyle.

We kindly ask you to read (or watch the video below) the following tips to consider next time you venture out on the water:

(1) Prevent oily discharges from the bilge. Keep your engine well tuned to prevent fuel and oil leaks. Secure an oil absorbent pad or pillow in your bilge and under your engine where drips may occur. Check the pads often, do not let them clog the bilge pump, and dispose of them as hazardous waste at a marina or local hazardous waste 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) When fueling, stop the drops! Prevent fuel spills by filling fuel tanks slowly and using absorbent pads or rags to catch drips and spills. Don’t “top off” or overflow your fuel tank. Leave the tank 10% 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. Use tarps and vacuum sanders to collect all drips and debris for proper disposal.

(6) Reduce toxic discharges from bottom paints. Minimize the discharge of heavy metals found in soft-sloughing antifouling paints by using a less toxic, or nontoxic antifouling paint. Use only non-abrasive underwater hull cleaning techniques to prevent excessive paint discharge. Remember, dry storage 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.

(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 a harbor dump station or bathroom.

(9) Stow it, don’t 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 Greywater discharges. Use a phosphate-free biodegradable soap to minimize the impacts of greywater on the marine environment. Also minimize discharge by doing dishes and showers on shore when possible.

Green Boating is an organization dedicated to this very cause. They strive to inform boaters about marine products, practices, boat designs and innovations that help mitigate environmental impacts. They offer great advice, eco-friendly products, etc on their facebook page.

On a related note, check out our follow-up post “Stunning Images of our Marine World”

Do you have another eco-friendly boating practice that is not on this list? We want to hear from you!