the OMOA, its members, their
boaters, and most of all to Ontario’s
lakes and rivers to let it die. It will
continue in some form for the foreseeable future. We hope we can look
forward to your support.
Ironically, after several attempts to
expand the program across Canada, it
is currently operating in Quebec, and
the Georgia Strait Alliance will launch
a pilot program this summer in British
Columbia.
To put the success of the Clean
Marine program into perspective,
some statistics are in order:
that without knowledge of the impact
of some practices, we may accidentally do something detrimental to water
quality.
Boaters are not just the “rich guys”
with expensive yachts. They are
canoeists, kayakers, sailboarders,
anglers, hunters, water skiers; everyone who enjoys our lakes and rivers.
mer cleaning. Don’t use cleaners in
the water.
BILGE
Any bilge fouling needs immediate
attention. If oil is discovered, the
cause should be identified and
repaired. Minor spills can be wiped
up, but major quantities will require
hauling the boat with cleaning done
● In 2006, more than 971,000 sq. ft.
of shrinkwrap that formally went
to landfill was collected and recycled by 12 Ontario contractors
● 71,000 litres of used oil was collected and recycled; 90% of participants used low-toxicity anti-freeze
for winterizing engines; more than
20% was saved for re-use and
24,000 litres were recycled.
● One supplier of EcoLogo (Federal
Government certified) environmentally responsible bottom wax
has sold 750,000 bottles, eliminating the use of other less desirable
products.
● In 2003, the first marina achieved
the highest five-anchor rating and
at the time of this writing, 43 have
earned that rating.
Boaters are not major contributors to
decreasing water quality if the total
picture is observed, but they can be
contributors. One litre of spilled gasoline can contaminate 20,000 litres of
water. Oily water from a messy bilge
leaves a choking rainbow-hewed
slick, as does the exhaust residue
from an aging outboard engine.
Obviously, larger powerboats have
more impact than sailboats and
canoes, but anyone being careless
will have a detrimental effect. So,
consider the following suggestions for
this boating season.
ashore. Under no circumstances
should fouled bilges be treated with
bilge cleaner and then pumped overboard. All boats with inboard engines
should have a bilge sock to absorb
any hydrocarbons.
The OMOA is committed to the
Clean Marine Eco-Rating program,
and moving toward the ultimate goal
of having every marina and yacht
club participating in the program.
HOW CAN BOATERS PARTICIPATE
We know you will want to help protect your environment. We also know
BOAT CLEANING
– ON THE WATER
Many products traditionally used to
clean hulls and decks contain chemi-
cals like ammonia, phosphates and
chlorine. None of these products
should be released into the water. If
your boat was waxed before launch,
only fresh water is required for sum-
FUEL WASTE
Reduce wasted fuel and exhaust emissions by avoiding engine idling. One
of the biggest positive environmental
impacts you could make is retiring
your old technology, two-stroke outboard. New-technology, direct-inject-ed two-stroke or four-stroke engines
start and run better, burn considerably
less fuel, and cause much lower emission levels to air and water. Don’t be
proud that the wonderful “
rainbow-producing” outboard bought in 1953
is still running!
If a Clean Marine program exists
where you live, why not politely ask
your marina operator or yacht club
executive to consider joining? ●
