Clean Boating Tips

A water pollution prevention guide for:

• Boaters, Marina Managers, and Marina and Boat Maintenance Workers

KEEP MARINA AND BOATING WATERS CLEAN AND HEALTHY.

CONTAIN AND DISPOSE THESE WASTES:⁺

• Saw dust or concrete dust
• Sanding dust containing paint or varnish particles
• Caustic paint strippers
• Alkaline or acidic cleaners (For example, 2 part teak cleaners)
• Engine oil, gas, and grease
• Waste waters or bilge water
• Hull paint residue containing cuprous oxide (copper) or TBT
• Organic solvents, including paint thinner, chemical strippers, and parts cleaners

The bottom line is: DO NOT ALLOW ANYTHING TO FALL IN THE WATER.

BASIC "DO's and DON'Ts":

• Do not top off fuel tanks.
• Report spills
• Ask your Dockmaster what kinds of vessel maintenance are allowed
• Wipe off small amounts of sanding dust with a damp cloth
• Drape vessel with tarps to catch wastes from small to medium sized maintenance projects
• Take longer projects to a boatyard
• Collect or vacuum all boat and dock cleaning and sanding wastes
• Do not spray paint in the marina
• Use a hard, less toxic or non-toxic hull paint
• Gently wipe hull often with soft cloth to remove soft growth
• Hulls with ablative or sloughing paints should not be cleaned underwater
• Use shore-side trash cans
• Use holding tank pumpout stations
• Share leftover paint, varnish, cleansers, etc., with other boaters
• Dispose of waste oil, batteries, paints and cleansers at hazardous materials collection stations.+ 

POLLUTANTS AND REGULATORS:

The following list is provided as a general summary of agencies that regulate pollution from boating. Contact agencies for specific requirements and penalties. Pollution discharges may result in civil or criminal penalties.  

Petroleum / Hazardous Waste Spills

US Coast Guard

California Department of Fish and Game

Harbor Police *

Hazardous Wastes

California Department of Toxic Substances Control

County Department of Environmental Health, Waste Management, etc.*

Marine Debris (garbage and plastics)

Harbor Police*

US Coast Guard

Boat Sewage

Harbor Police*

Hull Paints (with copper or TBT)

California Department of Pesticide Regulation

County Department of Agriculture, Weights, and Measures

Non Point Source Pollution (broad range of pollutants)

Regional Water Quality Control Board

California Coastal Commission

Local governments

The U.S. Coast Guard at 1(800) 424-8802 or VHF/FM radio channel 16. * Responsible local agencies may vary
+ For information on collection stations for hazardous materials such as used oil, paint, solvents, anti-freeze, or batteries, call your County Environmental Health Department, Office of Waste Management, or similar agency. Also, ask automotive supply and repair shops if they provide used oil and battery service.

In San Diego County, boat owners may call the Household Hazardous Materials Hotline at 1(800) 246-1233 and San Diego City residents call (619) 235-2111. Marina employees may call the County Environmental Health Dept. at (619) 338-2222.

Clay B. Clifton, Program Representative
Leigh T. Johnson, Marine Advisor, University of California Cooperative
Extension 5555 Overland Avenue, Building 4. San Diego, CA 92123  

This work is sponsored in part by NOAA, National Sea Grant College Program. Department of Commerce, under grant number NA36RG0537, project number A/EA-l, through the California Sea Grant Program, in part by United States Environmental Protection Agency, under grant number NW009982-01-0, in part by the California State Resources Agency, in part by the University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources and in part by the County of San Diego. The views expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the sponsors or any of their sub-agencies. The U.S. government may reproduce and distribute for governmental purposes.

The University of California, in accordance with applicable Federal and State law, and University policy does not discriminate on the basin of race, color. National origin. religion, sex, disability, age. medical condition (cancer-related), ancestry, marital status, citizenship, sexual orientation, or status as a Vietnam-era veteran or special disabled veteran. The University also prohibits sexual harassment. Inquiries regarding the University's nondiscrimination policies maybe directed to the Affirmative Action Director, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 1111 Franklin Street, 6th Floor, Oakland, CA 94607-5200. (510) 987-0096. University of California. United States Department of Agriculture. United States Department of Commerce and County of San Diego cooperating.