Do you want to enjoy your passion for boating while protecting our waters? Who says boaters don’t care about the environment? We say it’s time to take earth-friendly boating steps to keep our rivers and oceans alive. And deciding to boat green doesn’t mean it will cost us more money.
There are many easy choices we can make as boaters to conserve and protect our natural resources. Here are some tips to help you get started towards “green boating”.
Bottom Clean Safely - Use legal bottom paints and biodegradable cleaning agents. If you aren't sure of the product, ask to assure it is safe to wash overboard.
Prevent Fuel Spills - Ensure fuel does not discharge from the vent line as a result of overfilling. “Spit back” can be prevented by fueling at a slower rate, especially towards the end of fueling.
Maintain Equipment Properly - A well tuned engine uses less fuel. Check your propeller; if your boat is slow "out of the hole" or lacks top-end speed, your propeller may be the wrong size.
Maintain a Clean Bilge- Oils and debris in your bilge gets flushed overboard. Use a bilge pad made from eco-friendly materials to soak up the debris and dispose of it properly.
Chart Your Course - Plan your trip in advance to avoid confusion and misdirection; this helps avoid consuming excess fuel.
Recycle Your Waste - Dispose of paints, batteries, antifreeze, oil, cleaning products and other hazardous wastes at a waste collection facility.
Stow Your Trash - Keep your trash onboard. Do not throw cigarette butts, fishing lines, beer cans and other garbage into the river or ocean. Most marinas have facilities to recycle plastic, glass, metal and paper.
