Boating in all its forms has the potential to impact on the marine environment and legislation exists to ensure that pollution is minimised and that the marine environment is protected.

These guidance notes contain details of the regulations that apply, what you can do to comply with them and where to go for more information.  They will help you to minimise the impact of your boat’s use on the sea, the coastline and on marine wildlife. 

For more comprehensive information on a wide range of boating and environmental issues, please visit The Green Blue website www.thegreenblue.org.uk (an RYA / BMF initiative) or the environment section of the RYA website: www.rya.org.uk/knowledgebase/environment

Oils and Fuels

Leisure craft are not exempt from marine oil pollution regulation which forbids discharge of oil or oily wastes.  Substantial penalties apply for breaches of these regulations.

Basic principle

• Prevent any discharge of oil or fuel into the sea

Did you know?

• The majority of oil pollution in our rivers and oceans comes from ever-present sources like refuelling, engine emissions and oil leaks
• Oil is toxic to fish and water species.  Prolonged exposure affects reproduction, growth and feeding of aquatic life, even at low concentrations

Advice

• Use an oil absorbent sock in your bilge to soak up leakages and spillages.  Remember to dispose of this ashore in the bin allocated for hazardous materials
• Before routine pumping, always check your bilge water for contaminants
• Keep your fuel lines, connections and seals well maintained
• Never use detergents to deal with spills – all they do is disperse the spill and increase the harm done to aquatic life. 
• Avoid topping off or overfilling your tank

Dealing with waste

Waste on board refers to all food, domestic and operational wastes.  E.g. packaging, rope, line and netting, vegetable peelings, cleaning rags etc.

There are strict rules prohibiting the dumping of waste at sea with substantial penalties for offenders.  On land, waste should be disposed of in an appropriate container and minimised and recycled wherever possible.

Basic principles

• No plastics should ever be thrown overboard
• Retain waste on board and dispose of it in appropriate facilities on shore
• Reduce waste and recycle wherever possible
• Deal with hazardous wastes appropriately

Did you know?

• It is illegal to dispose of garbage, plastic, waste oil, sewage or any toxic substance at sea
• Rubbish takes a long time to degrade in salt water.  Cigarette butts last 5 years, aluminium cans 80 – 100 years and glass bottles up to 1000 years

Advice

·        Remove excess packaging from provisions before stowing and recycle it at home

·        Use recycling facilities at marinas, clubs and harbour authorities

·        Plan for managing wastes on board.  Keep an adequate supply of rubbish bags and rinse used containers to prevent smells

·        Hazardous wastes (e.g. paint tins, oil waste, old electronic equipment) need to be disposed of separately from general waste.  Ask your marina or boatyard operator where you should put them

·        Do not dump any poorly degrading fruit and vegetable skins or peelings into the sea and don’t put any other food wastes over the side within 3 miles of shore (12 miles if in the North Sea or English Channel)

Sewage
 

At present there is no specific legislation that relates to sewage discharged from leisure craft.  In marinas, rivers and low flushing tidal areas however, it is not good practice to use a sea toilet and so the advice below applies.

Basic principle

·        Do not discharge a sea toilet where doing so would affect water quality or harm the amenity value of local waters

Did you know?

·        Untreated sewage discharge from boats can spread gastroenteritis, contaminate shell fish beds and deplete vital oxygen in the water

Advice

·        Only empty holding tanks more than 3 miles offshore where waste will quickly be dispersed by wave action and currents

·        Use holding tanks and pump out facilities in areas where tidal flushing is weak and use shore side facilities in marinas

·        Don’t discharge into crowded anchorages, near amenity beaches or close to commercial shell fish beds

·        Only empty chemical toilets ashore – never into the sea

Antifouling and cleaning

Maintenance is an essential part of boating but many of the products used on boats have the potential to harm the environment if not used carefully.

Basic Principles

• Keep toxic or damaging chemicals out of the marine environment
• Never use TBT based antifouling paint from any source

Did you know?

• Products used on boat hulls and decks may contain chlorine, ammonia, potassium hydroxide and solvents which are all harmful to the aquatic environment
• Antifouling paints work by releasing toxic chemicals into the water.  They are regulated as pesticides

Advice

• The key is to prevent antifouling from unnecessarily entering the water.  Use a tarpaulin or plastic sheet under the boat to contain scrapings and spills
• If you use scrubbing piles, only scrub off the fouling and not residue paint
• Look into alternative bottom paints such as silicone or Teflon which can be used with in-water hull cleaning systems
• Choose cleaning products that are more environmentally sensitive.  Try to avoid those products that contain chlorine or bleach
• Minimise use of soaps and detergents in sinks, showers etc on board.  Opt for environmentally friendly detergents now available in most supermarkets

Habitats and wildlife

Our coastline is rich in wildlife and large parts of it are protected by statutory designations.  Boat users enjoy a free public right of navigation in UK coastal waters but must respect these designations and should endeavour to minimise disturbance to habitats and species

Basic principle

·        Keep a sensible distance from marine wildlife and avoid disturbing bird roost and nesting sites

Did you know?

·        In the UK we have the second largest fish in the world, the Basking Shark

Advice

·        Use recognised landing places when you go ashore

·        Avoid stirring up the bottom or disturbing vegetation and wildlife – especially if you are using small craft that can reach shallow, more sensitive areas

·        Find out if the areas you visit are protected and why – there may be vulnerable seabed species, so beware of dragging your anchor