Water Sports and the Environment

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

BOAT GREEN

The marine environment is for everyone to enjoy and each and every boater has the responsibility of making a minimum impact on the environment. “Boat Green” means eliminating the potential of polluting our waters and shoreline areas.

The most common types of pollution or environmental damage can be eliminated by following simple basic rules:

• If you take it with you, bring it back. Dispose of all trash in appropriate containers. Never place any garbage, especially plastic, into the water.
• Remind all passengers to practice green boating. It’s the responsibility of the boat operator to prevent anything from being thrown overboard.
• Keep your mechanical equipment in good working condition.
• When changing oil, keep absorbent material ready to use. Dispose of used engine oil only onshore in approved containers. Many gas stations and recycling centers have oil disposal containers for this purpose.
• Legally, outboard 2-stroke engines are allowed to emit a small amount of engine oil into the water through the exhaust port, but eventually, all outboard manufacturers will only make 4-stroke engines which do not emit oil into the water.
• Use an approved marine sanitation device and never pump or dump human waste into our water system.
• Use environmentally friendly, bio-degradable products when cleaning a boat, including the bilge.
• Chlorine or phosphates are harmful to the marine environment and should always be avoided.
• Use environmentally friendly products such as citrus-based or biodegradable products for cleaning bilges and hulls.

Check the label of cleaning products to ensure they are safe for the marine environment.

• Never pump bilges that contain oil or hazardous chemicals.
• Be aware of underwater plants and grasses. Do not operate in areas where underwater plants or grasses are growing. It takes years for these sensitive areas to take-hold and the effects of propeller damage are severe.
• Never operate a propeller driven boat in sensitive ecosystems, such as wetlands and marshes.
• Control your boat wake as it may cause erosion to the shoreline.
• Avoid anchoring in areas that contain coral or underwater plant life. Scaring caused by the anchor can be devastating to these areas.