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.

River Gym NY

Here is a green way to get your workout, commute, and boat all at the same time. Mitchell Joachim and Douglas Joachim have designed this concept for commuters in New York City. While this may be more about exercising than boating, it is a practical and logical solution to achieving a more active and clean commute. To see more about this innovative concept go to River Gym Project.

Florida Clean Marinas Mapped by Green Boating

Greenboating.blogspot.com has recently added an embeded Google Map to our site with the locations of all the marinas and boatyards designated as 'clean' by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. We hope this is a useful tool to those who wish to patronize clean and green marinas in the beautiful waters of Florida.

Solar / Human Powered Green Boat Design

A French graphic designer named Jonathan Mahieddine has designed a boat which can be powered by solar or human power. He has taken the classic design of the paddle boat to another level by providing a sunning deck and a cockpit shaded by solar panels. While this design may not be practical for most, it would sure make for some clean green boating which would have very little impact on the environment.

Ballast-Free Cargo Ship Design

Researchers at the University of Michigan are developing a new design for cargo ships which could eliminate the need for ballast tanks. Ballast tanks are cited as environmental hazards as they often carry sealife in conjunction with water which is dumped in foreign ports. Ships take on ballast water for stability when they're not carrying cargo. They discharge ballast when they load freight, expelling tons of water and many invasive species such as the infamous zebra musscle.While Congress is considering costly legislation for tankers, the new design would eliminate the threat altogether.

The ballast-free ships have a constant flow of local seawater through a network of large pipes, called trunks, that runs from the bow to the stern, below the waterline, much like a submarine.

Not only would the newer design protect against invasive species, but researchers found it had an unexpected bonus; it requires 7.3 percent less power to propel the ship. The improvement is due mostly from water being expelled from the stern-end of the trunks into the propeller, allowing the ship to operate more efficiently.

Researchers concluded that the new design would result in a net capital-cost savings of about $540,000 per ship. Combined with the expected fuel savings, total cargo transport costs would be cut by $2.55 per metric ton.

More on Ballast-Free Cargo Ship Design

International Association of Independent Tanker Owners Recommends Cleaner Fuel Mandates

INTERTANKO, the International Association of Independent Tanker Owners, is recommending emissions cuts for tanker ships. They have proposed a recommendation to revise MARPOL standards to bring shipping industry in line with other transportation emission standards. They are recommending the global use of Marine Diesel Oil (MDO) with specifications on its formula to produce a cleaner fuel. For more on this subject you can read the report here.

Green Boating Headlines

This has been a busy week for news on boating and the environment. Here are some of the headlines that Green Boating thought you should see.

Giving Superyachts a Green Veneer Artist, sustainability campaigner and naval architect David Trubridge delivers a speech on sustainable design for super yachts at a Yacht Vision symposium in Auckland, New Zealand.

Criminal Charges Filed against Pilot of Cosco Busan in San Francisco Bridge Collision

EPA Sets New Marine Pollution Standards

San Diego Yacht Builder Knight & Carver Goes Green with Eco Solutions

EPA and New York Officials Address Environmental Standards of Ships in their Ports

EPA Targets Export of Ancient PCB-Laden Cruise Ship

Ship Graveyard Podcast hosted by Tom Pelton, environment reporter for The Baltimore Sun, about a ship graveyard in Curtis Bay and the Patapsco River in southern Baltimore.

Dutch Cargo Ship Artemis Beached in French coastal town Les Sables d’Olonne

Suntory Mermaid II Uses Ocean Waves to Power Green Boat

The modern day champion of green boating Kenchich Horie has set off across the Pacific on another one of his legendary journeys to provide inspiration and scientific credence to his newest vessel's innovative design. The Suntory Mermaid II is powered by ocean waves. Fins at the front of the boat generate thrust by absorbing energy from motion of the ocean. As the fins absorb the energy they create a kicking action which increases speed and decreases the pitching of the boat.

The 9.5 meter 3 ton Suntory Mermaid II used recycled aluminum to create the unique aluminum alloy (A5083) that makes up its only 3mm thick hull. The boat is equipped with solar panels to provide electricity, and a sail and outboard in case of emergencies.

In 1996 Horie sailed the "MALT'S Mermaid" a solar powered boat built from recycled beer cans, from Ecuador to Tokyo.

In 1999 he sailed across the Pacific in the "MALT'S Mermaid II" a Catamaran built from beer kegs.

In 2002 he again crossed the pacific, this time in a boat made from recycled whiskey barrels.

His latest mission will take him a distance of 6,000 km from Japan to Hawaii. He will depart sometime in May of 2008. It is estimated the trip will take him two and a half months. Progress of the voyage may be tracked on his website.

Lagoon 420 Catamaran Awarded Mansura Perpetual Challenge Trophy

The Mansura Perpetual Challenge Trophy has been awarded to the Lagoon 420. The Mansura Trophy is the prize for the ecological design competition given by the Royal Thames Yacht Club.

The trophy was presented by the Duke of Edinburgh for leading the industry in green boating design. Over 70 of the Catamarans were sold in 2007, proving the design is commercially viable as well.

Learn more about the Lagoon 420

Starcraft Awarded the Environmental Award at the Miami International Boat Show

The National Marine Manufacturers Association handed out awards for innovative achievement at the 67th Annual Miami International Boat Show. The Environmental Award went to the Eco-Star 200 electric boat by Starcraft Marine. The Eco-Star 200 combines excellent access to electrical motors with exceptional maneuverability of twin propellers, all on the popular deck boat platform. The judges considered this design to be a positive step for both the boating industry and use of alternative energy propulsion systems.

Starcraft 200

NMMA Innovations Press Release

Map of Human Effects on the Oceans

World map showing man's effect on the humans oceans published by an international team of scientists.

Top 10 Green Ship Designs

gCaptain is a great site and if you havn't checked it out, here's your chance. They have published a great article about green ship designs that's worth a look. The site has a maritime search engine and lots of great information.

View Article

EPA May Be Forced to Implement New Oversight of Recreational Boaters

A U.S. District Court Judge last fall overturned a 34 year old rule which exempted recreational boaters from having to obtain water-pollution permits required under the Clean Water Act. The permit requirement which originally only applied to large ocean going vessels must now be developed and implemented for all vessels in the United States by September 30th, 2008. The Federal Pollution Permit would be implemented to monitor and mitigate deck runoff, grey water, bilge water, engine cooling water, oil and gasoline seepage, and the use of copper bottom paints.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has identified the following potential environmental impacts from boating and marinas: high toxicity in the water; increased pollutant concentrations in aquatic organisms and sediments; increased erosion rates; increased nutrients, leading to an increase in algae and a decrease in oxygen (eutrophication); and high levels of pathogens.

There are already federal laws restricting the overboard discharge of oil, fuel, garbage and sewage, however these laws are difficult to enforce and often abused. The proposed legislation does not alter any of these existing restrictions.

Many recreational boating associations are fighting the court order and Bills have been introduced in Congress which would exempt recreational boaters from EPA oversight.

It appears much of the backlash associated with this ruling is from businesses in the marine industry, who fear more obstacles will prevent growth in their industry. Anyone who has ever owned a boat knows what a money pit they can be. It is not surprising that boat owners are decrying the idea of an additional tax on their pleasure.

Power boats do negatively impact the environment regardless of the scale of effect. The waterways of the United States are not the exclusive right of boat owners but the entire population. If one group wishes to utilize this portion of our national treasure they must insure that they do not sully it for the rest of Americans. Boats are for the most part luxury items, which leave a "keel print" on our natural environment. Boat owners have a responsibility to be good stewards of the resources they utilize for their enjoyment.

Green Boating takes pride in protecting our oceans and waterways and encourages other boaters to do the same.

For more information on this ruling visit this EPA info page.