10 Quick Tips for the Green Boater
The good folks at Boat US recently published a great list of simple things we can all do to be more environmentally friendly on the water.
We have written extensively on this blog about most of these issues, but sometimes a few quick bullet points sink in better than a longer version.
Please keep these great ideas in mind the next time you head out.
Boaters have a vested interest in clean water, which is able to support diverse fish and wildlife. One by one our collective actions add up. Here are some ideas from the BOAT/US Clean Water Trust about how you can help the waters while boating.
1- Stash your trash. Never throw anything into the water that didn’t come out of it. Keep trash, even food waste, onboard and bring it back to recycle or throw away on shore.
2 - Respect marine wildlife. Don’t feed or harass dolphins and other mammals. Reduce speed and give a wide berth to all marine life.
3 - Fish for the future. Learn proper catch and release techniques and use them after you've caught what you need.
4 -Watch your wake. Large wakes can unnecessarily accelerate shoreline erosion. Throttle back in narrow waterways. Use moorings rather than anchoring in environmentally delicate areas such as coral reef. When snorkeling or diving, never touch any live coral.
5 - Comply with sewage standards. Install a coast Guard- approved marine sanitation device on your boat and use it. Consult up-to-date cruising guides for the locations of pump- out facilities. If you can’t find one in your area, organize boat owners to convince your local marina to install one.
6 - Tune up your engine. A tuned engine improves fuel economy and burns fuel more efficiently, causing fewer emissions into the air and water.
7 - Refuel with care. Take precautions to keep fuel and oil out of the water. Do not top off your fuel tanks, as it usually leads to spillage. Use a "bilge pillow" to soak up leaks in your bilge.
8 - Reuse and recycle. Recycle spent antifreeze, fuel, oil, oil filters, and batteries. Use less toxic propylene glycol antifreeze whenever possible, but check before mixing it with other antifreeze for recycling.
9 - Wash often. Wash your decks regularly with fresh water and a scrub brush to reduce the amount of strong chemical cleaners needed throughout the boating season.
10 - Get involved. You can make an even greater impact by donating money and/or your time to environmental action groups, from national organizations like the Center for Marine Conservation, the BOAT/U.S. Cleanwater Trust, and to regional groups such as the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Be a watchdog. If you’re out on the water and see oil or chemical spill or other pollution, call the Coast Guard’s National response Center hotline (800-424-8802).
