BOATING GREEN
With rising gas prices and the environment top of mind for today's consumer, boaters
are using their boats in different ways than in years past.
- Boaters are considering ways to reduce fuel consumption while on the water, including
reducing cruising speed, tuning the engine and taking shorter trips.
- Unlike driving a car, a boat's engine is often idle or turned off while anchoring,
floating or at the dock (all three of which are some of boaters' favorite on-the-water
activities).
- An average size powerboat uses about 20 gallons of gas over an entire weekend.
A $1 increase in gas means they will spend just $20 more.
- Boaters are beginning to buy engines that better match their boats. If engines
have to be run at near or open throttle most of the time, its too small for the
boat and its load and fuel consumption and emissions will exceed normal standards.
-
Click here to read tips for reducing fuel usage.
Look for the EPA-Certified "Design for the Environment" DfE label,
which quickly identifies cleaning products that can help protect the environment
and assures you that the products have minimal environmental impact and are safer for you
and your family. While painting your boat, use legal bottom paints
and biodegradable cleaning agents to ensure that no paint or cleansers enter the water.
When searching for environmentally responsible boat cleaning products,
search the Green Seal's database of 'Green Seal Certified' products at
www.greenseal.org
Use or install a device to prevent overboard discharges from your tank vent. Such
products will give warning and work to prevent spills when your tank is reaching
its fuel capacity. Fill your tank slowly and leave 10% empty to prevent it from overflowing
and allowing the fuel to expand as it warms.
Be sure that your engine reaches its designed wide-open-throttle RPM by choosing
a prop with the right pitch. Adjustable-pitch propellers and modular props help
to keep your boat running efficiently and ultimately reducing fuel consumption.
Make sure your boat, engine and propeller blades are in good condition to avoid
wasting fuel and minimizing the chances of any oil, gasoline or other hazardous
materials entering the water.
Study your waterways to prevent boat propellers from damaging sensitive sea floor
habitats or injuring marine life. Avoid consuming excess fuel supply and plan your
trip in advance to avoid confusion and misdirection. Use an autopilot, which can
steer better than most captains and maintain a longer attention span.
Dispose of paints, batteries, antifreeze, cleaning products, oil and other hazardous
wastes at a waste collection facility when you return to land. 12V batteries are
among the most recycled products in the world. Many marine accessories stores offer
a $10.00 credit on a new battery when you return your used one. Never discharge
your sewage when you are near the shore. Check local rules and regulations for specific
restrictions. Nearby pump-out stations and shore-side facilities are available for
proper waste disposal.
Protect marine life by properly disposing of monofilament fishing line at nearby
marine accessories stores and shore side recycling locations. If you're unable to
locate a recycling location, visit www.fishinglinerecycling.org for a list of facilities
in your area. Get involved in the recycling effort by researching The Monofilament
Recovery & Recycling Program (MRRP), a statewide effort to educate the public on
the problems caused by monofilament line left in the environment, to encourage recycling
through a network of line recycling bins and drop-off locations, and to conduct
volunteer monofilament line cleanup events.
Consider a bioremediation product such as BIO-SOK to convert hydrocarbons into safe
compounds.
Keep your trash onboard and never throw cigarette butts, fishing line,
or any other garbage into the ocean. Take advantage of shore-side facilities
to recycle plastic, glass, metal and paper.
Recycle your winter storage shrink-wrap at local marinas, dealers and suppliers.
Marine generator manufacturers have also made significant investments to develop
and market products that limit carbon monoxide emissions - in some instances by
99% --garnering several honors for their efforts.† Manufacturers also offer marine
exhaust mufflers and catalyst systems to protect boaters and our waters by removing
hydrocarbons from generator exhaust.
Boat builders and manufacturers have begun constructing environmentally friendly
boat building shops, using green engineering to be energy efficient in every practical
way to achieve the latest cutting edge composite construction technology. Such buildings
will also incorporate waste water collection systems, pumping it to engineered wetlands
where the water will be treated naturally before being discharged.
Environmentally-Friendly Cleaning Products
Many marine cleaning products developed today demonstrate a commitment to clean
water. Companies have developed non-toxic based biodegradable boat soaps, which
have a minimal impact on the aquatic environment. We've also seen the introduction
of color safe, oxygen release gels and cleansers that remove spots off of boats
without using bleach or other hazardous materials.
Environmentally-Friendly Marine Aftermarket Accessories
Innovative companies in our industry have developed ways to extend the life of batteries
in harsh marine environments. Some products are designed to reduce premature battery
failure caused by periods of inactivity. These systems utilize the power of the
battery and return it as a surge or pulse. These products can also revive many older
batteries back to their original state.
Improvements in Marine Sanitation
Since the passage of the Clean Vessel Act in 1992 marine sanitation has seen remarkable
improvements. Marine sanitation manufacturers are providing consumers with new products
to protect the marine environment from boat sewage. Manufacturers have developed
and marketed innovative technologies that treat, store and contain waste more effectively.
Boaters and anglers are the original conservationists - they are the ones experiencing
our nation's waterways first hand. The fees and taxes they pay support sportfish
restoration and government programs that support the environment through the Clean
Vessel Act and the Wallop-Breaux Trust Fund. Marine engine manufacturers have invested
billions of dollars to develop cleaner, more efficient engines - direct fuel injected
(DFI) two-stroke engine technology and four-stroke engines and more recently catalyst
and onboard emissions diagnostic systems for stern drive and inboard engines.
