How's the Water?

April-May 1996

This is an article from WaveLength Magazine, available in print in North America and globally on the web.

Recreational Boating and the Environment

The waters, and shores of Canada be long to all Canadians. The decision to either enjoy or destroy them is up to each one of us. By minimizing our impact on the marine environment, we can feel confident about its future, and our continued enjoyment.

Oils, detergents, sewage, and toxic products carelessly discharged into the water directly impact many marine life forms. Fish, shellfish, sea birds, and other aquatic life all require a balance of nutrients, oxygen, and clean water to survive. Too many nutrients, too little oxygen, or the presence of even small quantities of toxic products in the water can have a devastating impact on the ecological balance.

Diesel, gas, and petroleum lubricants are deadly for the marine environment. The US. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 30% of all fuel and oil used in two-stroke engines ends up in the water. The annual pollution from recreational vessels is estimated to total more than forty times the volume of the Exxon Valdez oil spill. This is a persistent pollution problem, with devastating effects on the marine environment.

Bilges are a major source of marine pollution, since they tend to collect engine oil, fuel, anti-freeze, and transmission fluid, to name only a few pollutants. When these fluids are pumped overboard, usually by automatic bilge pumps, they have a major negative environmental impact. "Bilge pillows" are extremely useful as they are designed to absorb petroleum products and repel water.

Phosphates in detergents cause excessive algae growth, sometimes choking up small bays and restricted waterways. Decomposing algae rob the waters of oxygen, causing damage to fish and wildlife. The easiest way to keep phosphates out of the water is to avoid taking them on board your boat. Note: In Canada there are no requirements to substantiate such product claims as 'non-polluting' and 'environmentally-friendly'. Remember - "environmentally friendly" or "green" - it's still a detergent.

What Can We Do?

There are many things that the average boater can do to protect the marine environment. Most involve the five 'R's' - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Restore, and Rethink.

The Coast Guard is involved in environmental protection. If you would like more information, or a presentation, please contact: Marc Pakenham at 604-480-2792, Fax: 604-480-2793, or by e-mail: pakenhm@tc.gc.ca.

Marc Pakenham is a Safety and Environmental Protection Officer with the Canadian Coast Guard

See also Georgia Strait Alliance Clean Boating Program

The issue of pollution from marine engines is generally dismissed by the "industry". The main source of pollution from recreational boating stems from the inherent inefficiency of the two-stroke engine. There are moves underway to regulate the two-stroke engine; there are already a number of so-called environmentally friendly oils available. While this is a step in the right direction, the issue of unspent fuel and exhaust being deposited into the water has yet to be addressed. Contaminants from unspent fossil fuels include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) which have a serious impact on marine species. For example, in Port Moody, BC, site of several oil refineries up to 75% of the English sole have developed precancerous tumours and lesions from PAH exposure. The rapid evolution of the four stroke outboard (Honda now has a 90 HP model) will over time dramatically reduce the negative impact of power boats. For further information read Polluting For Pleasure by Andre Mele, published by W.W. Norton, 1993.