Green Boating Guide
The beautiful Salish Sea was named for the Coast Salish people who historically inhabited its shores and still do. Despite its outward beauty, all is not well with her waters due to pollution from rapid urbanization and development as well as climate change challenges to the marine environment. Boaters also contribute a portion of overall pollution, often concentrating near sensitive foreshore areas and confined bays. Hope is here thanks to the Georgia Strait Alliance Organization (GSA), which along with CHI, seeks to inspire boaters to do their part to ensure the future health of our ocean and her creatures (including humans!) We encourage boaters to pledge to follow these guidelines in GSA’s “Green Boating Guide”:
MANAGING SEWAGE RESPONSIBLY. Each year raw discharge of sewage results in shellfish closures and risks to human health. It is, therefore, illegal to release sewage at the dock, in anchorages or near sensitive areas such as shellfish beds. It is recommended that you:
Use shoreside facilities whenever possible.
Use pump-out services where available and otherwise the law requires that you are at least 3 nautical miles offshore before emptying your holding tank or portable toilet. If there is no open water nearby and no pump-outs available then as a last resort you can dump while underway in the fastest flowing ebbing waters as far from land as possible.
Use safer products like enzyme or bioactive treatments in your holding tank and avoid bleach or products containing formaldehyde, ammonia or chlorobenzene.
Consider using a composting toilet in your boat which means no pump-out, no smell, no holding tank or macerator and no sewage discharge!
TAKE CARE WHEN FUELING UP. Even tiny amounts of gas, diesel or oil can kill or harm marine plants and animals. Chemicals present in fuel react with sunlight to become 50,000 times more toxic to many tiny creatures including juvenile fish & shellfish that depend on the surface microlayer. Half a litre of oil will cover an acre of surface water therefore it is crucial that you:
Be aware that spills are common when fueling due to the “burping” effect of fast flowing marina pumps. The key according to marina operators is “Don’t rush your fueling & don’t worry about keeping other boats waiting for a minute or two”.
Plan to avoid spilling even one drop but have fuel absorbent materials ready if needed and/or use a spill pad or a fuel collar to catch drips.
Don’t rely on any automatic shut-offs and don’t try to top off your tank which often causes spills.
Know how much fuel you need and feel for an increase in airflow from the vent which means the tank is full. Remember that fuel expands on warm days!
Put a “fuel saver” over your vent to catch spills & alert you that your tank is full.
Check fuel lines and fittings to ensure there are no leaks, this may save your life as well as the fish!
Report all spills by contacting either 1-800-6457(OILS)-911 or Coastguard VHF 16/1-800-889-8852.
Reduce fuel consumption by slowing down and going with the tides, currents and wind where possible. Reduce excess weight onboard.
When boating season is over, fill tanks and add fuel stabilizer to protect engines and avoid the need to dispose of bad fuel in the Spri
SWABBING THE DECKS. Many boat cleaning products contain substances that are toxic to marine life, even “biodegradable” products break down into lethal components. Chlorine, found in bleach and other products, forms the basis of dioxins and other compounds that cause cancer in us and other life. Chlorine also damages growth, development and reproduction in humans, fish and other wildlife. Surfactants in soaps and detergents attach to fishes’ gills destroying their ability to breathe. Look for phosphate-free cleaners because although banned in Canada ,they can still be allowed at the harmful level of 0.5%. You can look for the Ecologo symbol as a guide to less harmful products or better yet mix up your own simple and economical alternatives as follows:
For decks-1 part vinegar to 8 parts water
For fibreglass-baking soda and salt (in a wet paste).
For aluminum-1 tbsp. cream of tartar in ½ litre hot water.
For chrome-vinegar and salt solution and you can polish chrome/metal with baby oil.
For copper-lemon juice and salt solution.
For glass/clear plastic-1 part vinegar to 2 parts water.
For mildew-vinegar and salt solution or tea tree oil.
For wood (interior)-polish with olive oil.
For bleaching-hydrogen peroxide bleach (NOT chlorine bleach).
For scouring-baking soda and water paste ie. In the shower and toilet.
For dishes-a non-petroleum based soap like Island Essentials or Dr. Bronner’s castile soap diluted one-to-one with water (great for green home use too!)
WILDLIFE INTERACTIONS. All wildlife are sensitive to disturbance from people, boats and pets. Approaching whales and other marine life too fast, getting too close, and producing noise can cause stress, inhibit communication, and interrupt essential behaviours like feeding, mating, socializing, resting, and nurturing young. Here are the legal guidelines to follow:
Marine Mammals-if you suspect that a humpback or other whale is in your boat’s vicinity or you see a yellow, black and red flag with a whale’s tail, reduce your speed and proceed with caution. Always maintain a distance of at least 400 metres from killer whales (orcas) in Southern B.C. coastal waters from Campbell River to Ucluelet. Keep 200 metres from orcas in the rest of B.C. coastal waters as well as from all whales, porpoises or dolphins at rest with a calf. A distance of at least 200 metres is required for large whales due to the increased risk of collision and injury. Stay at least 100 metres from all other marine mammals such as seals, sea lions, otters etc. Drones can be very disruptive to marine mammals so are strongly discouraged unless appropriate permits are obtained. It is also strongly recommended to turn off fish finders and depth sounders when in the presence of whales.
Marine Birds-Once disturbed birds often abandon their nests and young. Always maintain a distance of at least 100 metres from bird colonies & if boating near them slow down to minimize your wake and engine noise. Pets can easily kill young birds so do not allow them access to colonies and nesting habitat. Marine birds often nest on the ground or in other difficult-to-see burrows on small islets, cliffs and shorelines. For more info contact the Canadian Wildlife Service at 1-800-668-6767.
Photo: BC Parks
5. EELGRASS HABITAT. Eelgrass is an important marine plant habitat for many species as a place to find food, lay eggs (including herring eggs) and hide from predators. Eelgrass is also important for slowing the current and Amanda and Rob Zielinski of Hornby Island Diving have done some eelgrass replanting in Ford Cove (Big Tribune Bay is another problem area). Amanda explains that the replanting has been necessary due to boaters having a slack rope/chain that sinks to the bottom at low tide. Wind and currents then cause the rope/chain to rub on the seafloor damaging eelgrass and many other species. To prevent this, boat moorings need a second mid-water float part way between the anchor and the surface float. This keeps the rope/chain off the bottom at all times and reduces the movement that causes wear and damage to moorings. Kudos to all boaters who take this important marine conservation step!
6. GREEN MARINAS. “Clean Marine B.C.” is GSA’s voluntary eco-certification program that recognizes marinas for environmental best practices. Marinas or boat yards that complete a guided environmental audit process can fly the Clean Marine B.C. flag and display their certification with one to five anchors representing the number of environmental practices in place. The process encourages continual improvement and marinas benefit from reduced waste and costs and improved ecosystem health.
For more ecologically conscious boating information regarding bilges, engine maintenance, bottom and topside work, garbage and boat disposal etc., please refer to GSA’s “Green Boating Guide” and “Green Marine BC” programs online or by requesting paper pamphlets. Meanwhile, enjoy the summertime and thank you for taking the best care of our ocean environment for all to be alive and thrive!
Kristin Sonstebo for Conservancy Hornby Island.