These USA EPA Boating Pollution Prevention Tips can help to curb environmental impacts when boating. Please boat responsibly.
Limit engine operation at full throttle.
Eliminate unnecessary idling.
Avoid spilling gasoline.
Use a gasoline container you can handle easily and hold securely.
Pour slowly and smoothly.
Use a funnel or a spout with an automatic stop device to prevent overfilling the gas tank.
Close the vent on portable gas tanks when the engine is not in use or when the tank is stored.
Transport and store gasoline out of direct sunlight in a cool, dry place.
Use caution when pumping gasoline into a container at the gas station.
Carefully measure the proper amounts of gasoline and oil when refueling.
Follow the manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule.
Prepare engines properly for winter storage.
Buy new, cleaner marine engines.
Hmm...I like that last one, its time to innovate.
What are some of your tips?
For more information go to EPA Pollution Protection Tips
Friday, March 20, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Vessel Cleaning and Maintenance Tips from USA's National Park Service's Green Marina Initiative
Clean Carefully
✓Wash your boat frequently with a sponge or nonabrasive pad and plain water. This approach is very effective at removing salt. Additional “elbow-grease” may be required to remove stains.
✓When detergents are necessary, use those that are phosphate-free, biodegradable, and non-toxic. Use soaps and detergents sparingly, because even non-toxic products can be harmful to wildlife. For example, detergents destroy the natural oils on fish gills, limiting their ability to extract dissolved oxygen from the water.
✓Wax your boat, if appropriate. A good coat of wax prevents surface dirt from becoming ingrained.
✓Clean teak with a mild soap and abrasive pads or bronze wool. This method is safe for the environment and better for the boat than the solvents found in standard teak cleaners, which tend to damage both wood
and seam compounds.
✓Avoid detergents that contain ammonia, sodium hypochlorite, chlorinated solvents, petroleum distillates, or lye.
✓Try some of the alternative cleaning products listed on the reverse side of this page.
Maintain Mindfully
✓Collect all paint chips, dust, and residue. Dispose of in trash.
✓Share leftover paint and varnish rather than storing it or throwing it out.
✓Leave empty paint cans open to dry out before disposing of them.
✓Use less toxic propylene glycol antifreeze instead of ethylene glycol.
✓Select a bottom paint developed for the mid-Atlantic region and apply the proper amount. Do not overapply.
Recycle Regularly
✓Recycle used oil, oil filters, and antifreeze.
✓Bring used solvents and waste gasoline to collection points on local hazardous-waste collection days.
✓Ask your marina manager for locations of recycling centers and information about hazardous waste collection days.
Click here for the full US NPS Green Marina Guidebook
✓Wash your boat frequently with a sponge or nonabrasive pad and plain water. This approach is very effective at removing salt. Additional “elbow-grease” may be required to remove stains.
✓When detergents are necessary, use those that are phosphate-free, biodegradable, and non-toxic. Use soaps and detergents sparingly, because even non-toxic products can be harmful to wildlife. For example, detergents destroy the natural oils on fish gills, limiting their ability to extract dissolved oxygen from the water.
✓Wax your boat, if appropriate. A good coat of wax prevents surface dirt from becoming ingrained.
✓Clean teak with a mild soap and abrasive pads or bronze wool. This method is safe for the environment and better for the boat than the solvents found in standard teak cleaners, which tend to damage both wood
and seam compounds.
✓Avoid detergents that contain ammonia, sodium hypochlorite, chlorinated solvents, petroleum distillates, or lye.
✓Try some of the alternative cleaning products listed on the reverse side of this page.
Maintain Mindfully
✓Collect all paint chips, dust, and residue. Dispose of in trash.
✓Share leftover paint and varnish rather than storing it or throwing it out.
✓Leave empty paint cans open to dry out before disposing of them.
✓Use less toxic propylene glycol antifreeze instead of ethylene glycol.
✓Select a bottom paint developed for the mid-Atlantic region and apply the proper amount. Do not overapply.
Recycle Regularly
✓Recycle used oil, oil filters, and antifreeze.
✓Bring used solvents and waste gasoline to collection points on local hazardous-waste collection days.
✓Ask your marina manager for locations of recycling centers and information about hazardous waste collection days.
Click here for the full US NPS Green Marina Guidebook
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Find Green Boating on Facebook
The Green Boating Facebook Group is growing strong show your support by joining.
Click on the Green Boating icon below to visit our group.
...and make sure you look for our Facebook page...
Click on the Green Boating icon below to visit our group.
...and make sure you look for our Facebook page...
Publish Post
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
Green Boating Twitter Feeds
I will be switching to twitter feeds to update news on Green Boating. This should make everybody's life a lot easier. Fingers crossed. Check out the feed here:
http://twitter.com/greenboating
http://twitter.com/greenboating
Green Ship Technology Conference 2009 in Hamburg Germany
Green Ship Technology Conference 2009 in Hamburg Germany, March 24 & 25.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Green Boating Open Source Project
Green Boating is currently seeking interested parties to contribute to the development of an open source project exploring innovative designs, products, and best management practices for the marine industry. All interested parties are welcome.
You may join or just view the group at http://groups.google.com/group/greenboating.
I have also created a wiki at http://greenboating.wikidot.com/.
As only one person I am severely out manned when it comes to covering the full depth of this topic. It is my belief that it is in the best interest of the marine industry for me to open this discussion to the public, so that together we may share our collective knowledge, experience and ideas for solutions to problems. I am passionate about this issue and am looking for others to help evolve our ability to deal with the effects that the boating and shipping industry has on the marine environment.
Contributions may be monitored by other members for greenwashing promotions.
You may join or just view the group at http://groups.google.com/group/greenboating.
I have also created a wiki at http://greenboating.wikidot.com/.
As only one person I am severely out manned when it comes to covering the full depth of this topic. It is my belief that it is in the best interest of the marine industry for me to open this discussion to the public, so that together we may share our collective knowledge, experience and ideas for solutions to problems. I am passionate about this issue and am looking for others to help evolve our ability to deal with the effects that the boating and shipping industry has on the marine environment.
Contributions may be monitored by other members for greenwashing promotions.
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