Oil & fuel

* Find out how to cut your engine emissions and become more fuel efficient! *

* Make sure you have a Green Blue boat with The Green Blue checklist*

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.
Oil and fuels are the most frequently reported pollutant of inland waters in England and Wales. The majority comes from everyday sources like refuelling, engine emissions and oil leaks.

Advice

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.
A drip tray under the engine is a requirement on many waterways. If it starts getting oily, find and mend the leak!

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

Downlaod the boat Safety Scheme guide to Pollution Reduction from www.boatsafetyscheme.com

Cut your emissions and become more fuel efficient

With the costs set to rise on filling up with red diesel and the quest to find greener methods of propulsion, Motor Boats Monthly magazine published a series of articles in their March 2007 edition to investigate what these alternatives may be and how practical they are. if you missed this edition and would like to find out more, it is possible to download a pdf version of the article by kind permission of Motor Boars Monthly, from the links below.

» Biofuel - This investigates the practicality of using biodiesel including the cost, supply and suitability for engines.

» Fuel efficiency - If the thought of moving abroad doesn't appeal to you, biodiesel isn't available and you are reluctant to give up your boat read MBM's advice to becoming more fuel efficient.

» Time for a change? - This piece looks at the difference in fuel consumption between planing hulls and displacement hulls, and between single and twin-engine craft.

The Green Blue's environmental boat checklist

This month's edition of Yachting Monthly features an article about green sailing with The Green Blue talking to journalist Tom Cunliffe about what we can all do to start making a difference when on the water.

To start you off, we have produced a 'Green Blue boat checklist'. The toolkit walks you through the major environmental issues you face as a boat owner andgives you some advice about the next steps you can take to reduce your footprint while out on the water. Try to score as honestly as possible, this is not a legally binding document but the more honest you are with yourself the better the outcome will be for you and the environment!