If you are a boat owner, you know how important it is to keep your boat clean. Not only to keep it looking nice and shiny, but also for performance and protection. Being a boat owner, you probably have an interest in preserving the environment you enjoy so you can continue to enjoy fishing or boating. Here are some tips that you can use while cleaning your boat but at the same time preserving the waterways that you enjoy!
Prevent Discharge
As a boat owner, you know how important it is to keep your bilge clean and dry and to prevent oil slick accumulation. You can put something absorbent between the engine and bilge to catch and absorb any oil or residue. Proper annual maintenance is also important to ensure that there are no oil leaks or other structural damage. If you use an absorbent and it does collect residue, it’s important that you dispose of them at a hazardous waste site or proper collection center. If you decide to change your own oil, make sure that you always used a closed system, like an oil-change pump and have extra absorbents ready just in case there are any spills. If you do happen to have any spills, be sure to report it to your local maritime official. To further help with preservation and conservation efforts, be sure to recycle your oil at designated locations.
Pick Your Spot
One of the other ways you can help keep the waterways clear and safe is by doing all non-essential boat maintenance on dry land. For example, it might be easier to wash your boat while it’s right there at the dock or on the trailer right when you pull it out, but cleaning your boat over or around water increase the likelihood that harmful chemicals seep into the water. If you have to do repairs and can’t move your boat to a safe space, use tarps and vacuum sanders in order to collect debris. Make sure that cleaning products are water-based, biodegradable, phosphate free and are labeled as less toxic.
Boat Life offers some of the best environmentally friendly cleaning products on the market. To check out all of our products, visit us at www.BoatLife.com
