Boats

Living in a city completely surrounded by water, it’s only natural to want to enjoy it. But whether your craft is propelled by wind, will or the wonders of fossil fuel, it all has an effect on the sensitive aquatic ecosystems below. Fish, shellfish, sea birds and other forms of aquatic life require a balance of nutrients, oxygen and clean water to survive. Even small quantities of toxic products in the water can disrupt this balance, with lasting harmful effects.

It has been estimated that the volume of hydrocarbon and oil pollution entering North America's waters every year from recreational boating is more than 15 times the amount of the Exxon Valdez spill (up to one billion liters per year). An estimated 30 percent of all fuel and oil used in two-stroke engines ends up in the water. We can reduce these threats to the ecosystems by careful attention to routine boat maintenance and use.
Below you will find tips and information on how to keep your boat properly maintained so it will be running as clean and green as possible.

Earth-friendly boat maintenance

•Keep a supply of oil-absorbent rags on board at all times in case of spills or to clean up any drips or leaks.

•Use non-toxic cleaning products in place of those that contain phosphates or other toxic chemicals. Vinegar is a great alternative and works well as an all-purpose cleaner.

•Properly dispose of any filters and/or oils that you remove or replace in your boat. To find a disposal site near you, call 1-800-CLEANUP or contact your local supplier for more information.

•Limit dock side cleaning to the topsides only. Use a sponge to remove light dirt and rinse your boat with fresh water.

•Keep a good coat of wax on your boat to help prevent surface dirt from engraining itself in the hull. This preventative measure helps reduce the amount of detergents you need to use to keep your boat clean.

•Never mix wastes or pour hazardous chemicals down drains or sewers. These will quickly lead to contamination of local waterways and surface waters.