A Motherhood Issue?

June-July 2003

This is an article from WaveLength Magazine, available in print in North America and globally on the web.
To download a pdf copy of the magazine click here: > DOWNLOAD

by Mike Richards

Mike Richards' boat, Epic V, in Desolation Sound last summer doing boater outreach. Watch for him this year in the southern Gulf Islands for the latest Green Boating information.

Kayaking is a magical way to get absorbed in the energy of the marine environment, and using a mothership enables us to experience that closeness in many more wonderful places around our coast, with more comfort. But using a mothership brings into play a whole new range of considerations for paddlers.

MARINE MAMMALS

Most motherships have engines, and engines are noisy to those below who feed and navigate by echo-location. Recent studies have found correlations between boat noise and changes in behaviour of some marine mammals, which may affect their feeding and ultimately their survival. A number of concerned groups have developed protocols to be observed around marine mammals and birds. These include slowing down, not approaching closer than 100 metres, limiting your viewing time and not swimming with marine wildlife. A full description of these protocols can be viewed on the Marine Mammal Monitoring Program (M3) website: www.salishsea.ca.

WASTE

When kayak camping, we use shore-side facilities or follow the proper low-impact philosophy. But on the boat, where does that stuff go? Hopefully into the onboard holding tank, which will be offloaded at a pump-out facility. (see list)

PUMP-OUTS Coast Harbourside Marina Van Isle Marina Port Sidney Marina Port of Nanaimo Eco Barge Deep Bay Harbour Authority Tsehum Harbour Authority False Creek Yacht Club Madeira Park Harbour Authority Porpoise Bay Harbour Authority Gibson’s Marina Gibson’s Landing Harbour Authority Union Steamship Company Marina (Bowen Island) Cowichan Lake Marina Burrard Civic Marina Heather Civic Marina Westin Bayshore Yacht Charters Shelter Island Marina Coal Harbour Marina (network system) Point Roberts Marina Anglers Anchorage Marina (Portable Caddy) Salstpring Harbour Authority-Ganges Comox Harbour Authority Reed Point Marina Saanich Inlet Protection Society (Mobile) Campbell River Harbour Authority Port McNeil Harbour Authority Schooner Cove Sointula Harbour Authority Port Hardy Harbour Authority Bella Coola Harbour Authority Lund Mill Bay Marina (port-a-potty dump)

NO-DISCHARGE ZONES Cortes Bay Carrington Bay Mansons Landing/Gorge Harbour Squirrel Cove Roscoe Bay Prideaux Haven Smuggler Cove Pilot Bay Montague Harbour Nanaimo Harbour Tribune Bay Victoria Harbour

"No-Discharge Zones" prohibit all sewage discharge - treated or not. Boats with toilets are required to have a holding tank or use a port-a-potty in these locations.

An updated list of Sewage Pump-out stations can be viewed on the Georgia Strait Alliance website: www.GeorgiaStrait.org. Also on that site you will find information on holding tank installation if you have notput one in yet. The idea is to keep all sewage out of enclosed bays, inlets and estuaries. If you do have to dump in the water make sure you are well out in the open, in deep, well-flushed waters while underway.

By contrast, in Puget Sound it is illegal to dump raw sewage anywhere.

Canada's Vessel Sewage regulations are being updated and will soon be in line with the International Maritime Organization's Pollution Regulations that only allow treated sewage within three nautical miles of the shoreline. There will also be more areas of extended protection similar to the current no-discharge zones. For most vessels this means a holding tank is a must.

MAINTENANCE

Motherships have a variety of onboard systems that need looking after and the vessel itself will need ongoing work, culminating in the annual haul-out when the bottom gets cleaned and repainted with toxic paint. Since we don't want to hurt the marine environment we love so much, this is our big chance to make a difference. Here are a few ideas:

• Use non-toxic cleaners. If a product has a skull and cross bones on it, that's a good indication it's not good for you or marine life. Vinegar is great!

• Use oil absorbent rags and bilge socks to stop fuel or oil spills. They are great to have on hand when fuelling up.

• Use hard bottom paint. This reduces the amount of toxic paint that sloughs off your boat, continuing to kill as it goes. When you are scraping or sanding off the old stuff, use tarps to keep it from re-entering the water or better still use a yard that has the proper facilities for collecting it. Avoid using tidegrids.

• Dispose of your used oil and fuel filters and other toxic materials at the proper place. Call 1-800-667-4321 in Canada to find out where.

More information about maintenance can be found in the Guide to Green Boating available by calling the Georgia Strait Alliance at 250-753-3459 or on their web site: www.GeorgiaStrait.org.

All around the coast there are good examples of folks who care about our marine waters and are following a Green Boating Philosophy. Ask around - you'll find them everywhere.

Many Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons are now introducing the Green Boating concept to new boaters. More marinas and boatyards are incorporating environmentally responsible procedures and there are a few Green Boating building and refitting projects on the go.

The Georgia Strait Alliance was presented with the 2001 ‘Best Environmental Campaign’ by CASBA, the national Canadian Safe Boating Awards organization, in Toronto.

Lifeforce Foundation (which monitors Orca movements) is outfitting its new research vessel in as green a way as possible. Ocean Watch Boaters Association of BC is refitting an older boat with green systems and technology. Saanich Inlet Protection Societyciety is operating a mobile pump-out boat to service their local water body.

The Georgia Strait Alliance Green Boating Program continues to be a mainstay of the Green Boating movement in BC. We're involved in several policy forums, create and distribute a variety of educational products, and conduct on-the-water outreach throughout Georgia Strait.

If you would like more information on our work or a presentation for your group, please contact us at 250-753-3459 or gsa@GeorgiaStrait.org.

Mike Richards is GSA's Green Boating Coordinator. He and his family are embarking on a sailing adventure to his native Australia on the Epic V this fall. We wish them well!