Boating Basics: Environmental Considerations

Discharge of Oil and Other Hazardous Substances

• Regulations issued under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act require all vessels with propulsion machinery be able to retain oil mixtures on board. You are not allowed to discharge oil or hazardous substances.
• You are not allowed to dump oil into the bilge of the vessel without means for proper disposal.
• You must discharge oil waste to a reception facility. On recreational vessels, a bucket or bailer is adequate.

If boating on federally controlled waters and your vessel is 26 feet or longer, you must display a 5 x 8-inch placard made of durable material, fixed in a conspicuous place in the machinery spaces or at the bilge pump control station, stating the following:

Discharge of Oil Prohibited
The Federal Water Pollution Control Act prohibits the discharge of oil or oily waste upon or into any navigable waters of the U.S. The prohibition includes any discharge which causes a film or discoloration of the surface of the water or causes a sludge or emulsion beneath the surface of the water. Violators are subject to substantial civil and/or criminal sanctions including fines and imprisonment.

Discharge of Waste

Discharge of untreated or inadequately treated sewage is illegal in Delaware coastal waters within three miles of shore. If you have a recreational vessel with installed toilet facilities, it must have an operable marine sanitation device (MSD) on board.

There are three types of MSDs.

• Type III MSD, the simplest and most common, consists of holding tanks or portable toilets. Waste is to be discharged on shore into a pump-out facility. Type III MSDs with “Y” valves that direct the waste overboard must be locked in the closed position preventing discharge of waste overboard.
• Types I and II MSDs are usually found on large vessels. Always flush these systems only in open waters, preferably at least 20 feet deep. Types I and II MSDs treat waste with special chemicals to kill bacteria before the waste is discharged. Maintain these MSDs to insure they meet Delaware’s standards for waste treatment.
  

In Delaware, marinas providing docks for vessels with Type III systems are now required to provide convenient pump-out facilities.

For a list, go to www.dnrec.state.de.us/fw/pumpout.htm.

Discharge of Trash

It is illegal to dump refuse, garbage, or plastics into federally controlled and state waters.

• You must store trash in a container while on board and place it in a proper receptacle after returning to shore.
• If boating on federally controlled waters and your vessel is 26 feet or longer, you must display a Garbage Disposal Placard that is at least 4 x 9 inches and notifies passengers and crew about discharge restrictions.

Help Protect the Boating Environment

Don’t Foul the Water!

Keeping your vessel’s hull clean and free of growth is important; however, not at the cost of fouling Delaware’s waters. All anti-fouling paints work by releasing toxic chemicals into the surrounding water. In general, the more effective the paint, the more toxic its ingredients. Keep in mind:

• Copper-based paints, used for decades, have generally proven adequate to keep a hull clean for a year or more and are less toxic.
• Newer tin-based paints (such as tributyltin, or TBT) should not be used. TBT is one of the most toxic chemicals to aquatic life—interfering with reproduction, especially of shellfish. Studies indicate TBT also causes health problems in humans. Delaware law restricts the use of TBT-containing products.
• When preparing your vessel for being painted, catch all toxic paint scrapings and dispose of them in a proper container. When painting, keep all paint thinner, brush cleaners, etc. away from the water and dispose of them properly to reduce the chance of fouling the water.
• Consider dry stacking your vessel to reduce the need for bottom paint.