Navigation écologique: faire votre part
Although summer is drawing to a close, the weather continues to cooperate for more fun on the water. Now is the time to get out on the water with family and friends, enjoying the sun, pristine coastlines, and wildlife. Boats connect us to nature, but boating isn’t always an eco-friendly activity. Our marine ecosystem is precious and very fragile, but even small changes in our approach to boating can make a huge difference. Here are a few ways you can help:
Limit fuel spills
Small fuel spills from boating may seem insignificant, but collectively they have a devastating impact—the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) likens the environmental effect to « death by 1,000 cuts. » Taking steps to learn how to properly refuel a boat and prevent extra fuel from ending up in the water can go a long way toward maintaining the health of aquatic ecosystems. You can take small steps such as filling your portable fuel tank on land to avoid spilling fuel into the water, or using absorbent rags to soak up any extra fuel. Avoid overfilling your tank—fuel expands with heat, so leaving your tank 10% empty will prevent extra fuel from escaping, and remember to close the vent on stored gas tanks. When handling your bilge, you can use an absorbent pad to prevent oil from being accidentally pumped overboard. Finally, experts estimate that a two-stroke engine can lose nearly 30% of its fuel and oil to the water. Until you can switch to a four-stroke engine, taking the time to properly maintain your current engine can help minimize this problem.
Maintaining your boat
Boat maintenance goes a long way toward keeping the water clean and protecting marine life. Ensuring your boat’s bottom and other areas like trailers and anchors are free of mud and dust before launching not only helps prevent boat deterioration but also ensures no unwanted species are introduced into the water via your boat. Use non-toxic cleaners, or even vinegar and baking soda, and rinse with fresh water if possible. Ideally, you can simply wash the top (from the bilge strip) of the boat only, but if a light cleaning is needed underneath, use a sponge to avoid scrubbing, which can loosen harmful paint from the bottom of the boat and into the water. And consider whether you really need antifouling paint, which can be toxic—you might be able to use a hard paint with a wax coating instead. Place an oil-absorbing pad in your bilge and under your engine where drips may occur. Feel free to call Harbour Insurance staff to get an idea of boat insurance costs. If you’re looking to purchase a personal watercraft or boat up to 30 feet in length, valued at up to $40,000 (boat/trailer), and with a top speed of 60 mph, use our convenient Express Policy Quote tool . For yachts and larger boats, call our office at 1-877-731-1224.
Managing your waste on board
Spending time on your boat means there will be waste to dispose of at the end of the trip, regardless of its length. On this point, the law is clear: it is illegal to discharge untreated sewage anywhere within three miles of the shore in Canada or the United States. In other protected waters, this limit is extended. Pumping out raw sewage is not an option, so it is essential to ensure you have either a properly installed toilet on your boat or at least a portable holding tank, as well as making good use of marinas and pump-out stations. These stations can also help you dispose of used bilge pump shims, old fluids, oil, filters, batteries, and anything else you cannot dispose of while on the water.
Clean waterways for the future
What steps do you take to minimize your environmental impact when you’re on a boat? There are many choices you can make. Respectful and responsible boating can help keep our waters clean and healthy for future generations.
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