The Green Blue | How to...

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...Use oil and fuels

Did you know?

The legal limit for hydrocarbon in water discharge is roughly one drop of oil in 2l of water (15mg/l).
A single litre of fuel can contaminate over a million litres of water.
Oil is toxic to fish and water species. Prolonged exposure affects reproduction, growth and feeding of aquatic life, even at low concentrations.
The majority of oil pollution in our rivers and oceans comes from every day sources like refueling, engine emissions and oil leaks.

Pointers

The most effective way to clean oily bilge water is to use an oil absorbent sock.
Check bilge water for contaminants before routine pumping.
Use a funnel when pouring fuel or oil.
Good maintenance of fuel lines, connections and seals helps avoid leaks.
Transfer used oil or waste fuel in proper containers and dispose of in oil waste facilities.
Dispose of all oily or fuel-soaked materials in the hazardous waste containers.
When fuelling, avoid topping off or overfilling to reduce the risk of fuel overflowing from vents. Allow room for expansion in the tank.
Never use detergents to deal with spills – it may disperse the fuel or oil and save you embarrassment, but they can be more toxic to aquatic life than the oil itself.
Avoid using oil and fuel on the pontoons, other than on those dedicated to refueling. Off the boat, the Government recommends a distance of at least 10m from the water.

Useful information

The Oil Bank Line will give you your nearest oil disposal centre: www.oilbankline.org.uk

The Environment Agency website has lots of facts about oil and the environment: www.environment-agency.gov.uk/oilcare

If you see a pollution incident, report it through the Environment Agency’s 24 hour a day pollution hotline – 0800 80 70 60

...Appreciate wildlife

Did you know?

In the UK we have the second largest fish in the world, the Basking Shark.
The world’s oceans support an estimated 10 million species but only 3% have been identified to date.
Annually the UK hosts over 5 million migratory waterbirds.

Advice

Keep a good pair of binoculars to hand – by keeping your noise and wash down you may even see breeding pairs in spring
When you go ashore, use recognised landing places
Small craft like personal watercraft, canoes and ribs can reach shallow, more sensitive areas. Avoid stirring up the bottom unduly, or disturbing vegetation and wildlife
Slow down if you are creating excessive wash – it can erode banks, disturb nesting birds and damage sensitive vegetation
If you keep a constant speed and direction when you spot whales and dolphinsto avoid surprising or startling the animals.
Tell others what you have seen and help keep accurate records by reporting your sightings
Find out whether the areas you visit are protected, and why. There may be vulnerable seabed species, so beware of dragging your anchor.

Useful information

Take a course to get the most out of watching wildlife from your boat: www.wisecheme.org.uk

Report sightings of whales and dolphins to the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society – www.wdcs.org.uk

Identify those birds with the online id guide at RSPB – www.rspb.org.uk

Find out about conservation activities in your area - www.wildlifetrusts.org

The hard facts and legal aspects from Government websites: www.english-nature.org.uk; www.snh.org.uk; www.ccw.gov.uk; www.ehsni.gov.uk

Find out more about protection of marine wildlife through the Marine Conservation Society – www.mcsuk.org.uk

More on species, habitats and global threats see WWF - www.wwf.org.uk

...Clean your boat

Did you know?

Detergents containing phosphates can cause local oxygen depletions and may result in the localised suffocation of aquatic life
Products used on boat hulls and decks may contain chlorine, ammonia, potassium hydroxide and solvents, all harmful to the aquatic environment
Degreasers dry the natural oils that fish need for their gills to take in oxygen
Most cleaning products contain chemicals which disrupt the reproductive cycle of fish

Advice

Use fresh water or non-toxic solutions to clean your boat wherever possible – see the list of alternatives below
If you use cleaning products select environmentally sensitive ones – see www.thegreenblue.org.uk for our product directory and product reviews
Washing up, laundry, cleaning toilets
Keeping your hull clean before going to a new area will not only be more fuel efficient but also avoid the transfer of non-native species

Useful information

Here are some possible alternatives to toxic products:

Toxic product	Alternative
Detergent and soap	Fresh water and a lot of elbow grease
Bleach	Hydrogen peroxide
Scouring powders	Baking soda or salt
Floor cleaner	¼ cup of white vinegar in 2 litres of water
Window cleaner	1 cup of white vinegar in 1 litre warm water
Varnish cleaner	Wipe with ½ cup of vinegar and ½ cup water solution
Head cleaner	Brush with baking soda
Shower cleaner	Wet surface, use scouring cloth with baking soda
Aluminium cleaner	Use 2 tablespoons cream of tartar in 1 litre of water
Chrome cleaner/ polish	Apple cider vinegar to clean, baby oil to polish
Fiberglass stain remover	Baking soda paste
Drain Opener	Disassemble and replace; avoid toxic products
Mildew Remover	Paste of equal parts lemon juice and salt
Wood polish	Use 3 parts olive oil and 1 part white wine vinegar; almond or olive oil (interior unvarnished wood only)

Find out about green claims and green labels at www.pitching-green.gov.uk

The Green Blue website lists alternative cleaning products. See www.thegreenblue.org.uk for our product directory and product reviews.

...Watch your waste

Did you know?

It is estimated that globally over a million birds and 100,000 marine mammals and turtles die every year from entanglement, or ingestion of plastics.
A survey of 42 harbour authorities reported that £26,100 is spent per year in some ports to clear fouled propellers and remove debris from the water.
Rubbish can take a surprisingly long time to degrade. A tin can will survive 50 years under water, an aluminium can 80-100 years and glass bottles up to 1000 years.
Disposal of hazardous waste costs 36 times as much as general waste.

Advice

Do not throw anything over the side – if by accident you do – practice those man-overboard drills to retrieve it.
Cigarette ends can harm birds and last up to 5 years. Smokers should keep a small tin in their pocket to stub out and keep butt ends.
Invest in starch-based rubbish bags for short trips. They break down in 12-18 months rather than 20 years plus for regular plastic bags.
Prevent plastic bags, drinks cans and loose items from blowing overboard. Remove excess packaging and recycle it at home.
Use recycling facilities at marinas, clubs and harbour authorities – it’s the same quantity of waste just a little more effort.
Where possible, reduce waste, a simple one is to refill water bottles.
Make sure you don’t cause general waste to be classed as ‘Hazardous’ by throwing items in the wrong container, including paint tins, oily rags and old electronic instruments.

Useful information

To find out where waste is disposed of near you www.environment-agency.gov.uk.

Facts and figures from beach clean ups and surveys can be found at www.adoptabeach.org.uk

Download a list of hazardous waste at www.thegreenblue.org.uk. Clubs and marinas should download the RYA/BMF’s Guide to Port Waste.

...Renew your anti-fouling

Did you know?

Topside and antifouling paints and varnish including used brushes, rollers and trays are now classified as hazardous waste
Anti-fouling paints work by releasing toxic chemicals into the water. They are regulated as pesticides.
Copper biocides in anti-fouling are toxic to water fleas, dragonfly and fish larvae, and cause contamination to be passed up the food chain

Advice

The key is to prevent anti-fouling from unnecessarily entering the water. Skirt the hull and use a tarpaulin. Don’t leave a coloured patch under your boat!
Dust from sanding paint and antifouling coatings is toxic. Using a dustless vacuum sander will also protect your heath.
If you use scrubbing piles, only scrub off the fouling and not residue paint – be careful not to let old or new paint enter the water.
Select a marina, club or boatyard which has a ‘scrub-off’ facility which collects residues and wash down.
Select the right type of antifouling for your area and boat usage – take advice from your chandlery. Use water-based paints where possible, or low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds).
Look into environmentally friendly bottom paints, such as vinyl, silicone or Teflon, which are suitable for in-water hull cleaning systems.
Apply the right amount of antifouling required and do not spill it – when applying use a sheet to collect drips.

Useful information

Find out rules and regulations from The Environment Agency: www.environment-agency.gov.uk

A useful website with expert advice straight from the manufacturers can be found at www.boatpaint.co.uk

Read about the potential effects of antifouling in the marine environment at www.ukmarinesac.org.uk/activities/recreation/r03_03.htm

...Discharge sewage

Did you know?

Untreated sewage discharged from boats can spread gastroenteritis, contaminate shell fish beds and deplete vital oxygen in the water that fish and other aquatic life depend on.
Human waste contains phosphorous and nitrogen which are nutrients for plant growth, increasing levels of algae and reducing water.
Chemicals such as chlorine, formaldehyde, ammonium and zinc compounds used to disinfect, breakdown and deodorise waste are toxic to marine life.

Advice

In the open sea, well away from land, waste will be quickly diluted and dispersed by wave actions and currents. Only empty holding tanks more than 3 miles offshore
In areas of poor flushing such as estuaries, inlets and marinas, make use of shore side facilities, holding tanks and pump out facilities or a portable toilet
Chemical toilets use toxic substances and should only be emptied ashore into the regular sewage system. Plan ahead as they can be difficult to carry and few pump out facilities will accept chemical toilet waste.
In marinas, use shore side facilities and brief your crew to do likewise.
When visiting new sites, give consideration to the environmental sensitivity of the area before using your sea toilet.
Boats manufactured outside the UK may not have the correct ISO fittings for UK pump out stations.

Useful information

The prevention of pollution by sewage from ships is regulated by Annex IV of MARPOL see www.imo.org/home.asp

The RYA Marina guide and most good pilot guides and almanacs have details on the location of sewage pump out facilities www.rya.org.uk/marinas/

A map showing locations of Special Areas of Conservation can be found at www.ukmarinesacs.org.uk

...Use resources sustainably

Did you know?

Effects of global warming such as sea level rise and more extreme weather conditions will occur within the lifetime of our children.
Increased flood risk will cause loss of water side facilities, damage to existing facilities and raise insurance prices.
The 2012 Olympic Games will be the first with ‘zero-waste’ and low carbon policies.

Advice

Be prepared for climate change and safeguard local boating facilities by getting involved in shoreline and coastal management planning. See the RYA guidance note for more information.
There are a mass of alternatives available to those who look - electric or biodiesel engines, water lubricated stern glands, even alternative fuels like vegetable oils
When buying a new craft, or new products for your craft, purchase with resource efficiency, emission and ability to be recycle in mind. You can even request the environmental policies of boating businesses or manufacturers prior to making purchasing decisions.
Consider VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) emissions – particularly from hull materials and paints.
Make certain wood is sources from responsibly managed forests e.g. accredited by the Forest Stewardship Council.
Reduce, reuse and recycle – what is waste to you may be useful to someone else – boat jumbles are good ways to pass on second hand goods.
Keep your hull clean, engine running efficiently and learn to trim the engine to minimise fuel consumption.

Useful information

If you are organizing an event, follow the ‘Greener Events’ advice at: http://www.oursouthwest.com/SusBus/greener-events.pdf

For more information on climate change see www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climatechange

Forest Stewardship Council accredits responsible forest management: www.fsc.org

The Carbon Trust makes business sense of climate change www.thecarbontrust.co.uk

Join the celebrities and become carbon neutral www.futureforests.com

Find out where you can fill up on biodiesel: www.biodieselfillingstations.co.uk

Promote the RYA/ BMF/ EA Environmental Code of Practice at your club or local marine business www.rya.org.uk/environment