Adding "Green" to Your Boating

Have you heard the term “green boater” before? It might make you think of two different scenarios: one where a miserable landlubber retches over the side of a boat, and the other where someone new to boating struggles to tie a knot, dock or follow the rules of the water.

But there is a third type of “green boater” you may not have considered before, and it's the kind we're talking about today. This kind of green boater is the eco-friendly boater, who makes sure to treat our valuable water resources carefully. If you're feeling like this is an overwhelming prospect ("Do I have to do everything on the boat differently?!"), relax: green boating does not require an entire lifestyle change, but it can make a positive impact on surrounding waters and wildlife, as well as reduce the chance of damage to your boat and engine. If each of the 22 million registered recreational boaters in the United States took more interest in being a green boater, pollution levels and water health might be dramatically different (and for the better!).

Here are a few easy ways to become a green boater:

1. Spill-proof your fueling practices: Prevent fuel spills by carefully and slowly filling fuel tanks, and by using absorbent pads or rags to catch drips and spills. Don't top off or overflow your fuel tank. Leave five percent empty to allow fuel to expand as it warms. You can also use or install a device to prevent overboard discharges from your tank vent. Remember: using detergent to disperse an oil spill or sheen is illegal!

2. Don’t throw it, stow it: Don’t throw your trash overboard. (Obvious? Maybe. But then why do we see so much trash in the water?) Instead, stow your refuse somewhere on board so you can easily dispose of it next time you're on land. Remember, if you wouldn’t swim in it, you shouldn't put it in the water! Further, there are federal regulations on the type of waste that can enter the water. Make sure you are familiar with these laws as well.

3. Rinse and dry your boat before trailering: Aquatic hitchhikers are harmful plants and animals that catch a ride on your boat from one body of water to another. When introduced into a new area water, they can damage existing organisms and change the ecosystem (likely for the worse). They can also damage your equipment, so make sure that your boat is hitchhiker-free before leaving the ramp. 

4. Use environmentally friendly products: These aren't generally difficult to find. If you're going to purchase cleaning products, purchase those that have the EPA-certified “Design for the Environment” DfE label, which assures you that the product has minimal environmental impact and is safer for the person using it. In fact, this label comes on all sorts of products (not just ones for cleaning), so keep an eye out!

Have you added these or other green boating practices into your routine? Where or when do you think boaters should especially focus on being green?