Join Our Green Boating Community What’s the Global Carbon Cycle? Moderate levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in our atmosphere are normal, as CO2 helps keep the planet warm and plays an integral role in many key biological processes, including photosynthesis. The earth naturally produces and processes CO2 in what is referred to as the Global … Read more
Join Our Green Boating Community Plastic pollution is one of the largest threats facing our oceans. Plastics are used in an enormous and expanding range of products due to their relatively low cost and versatility. Most are petroleum-based plastic, a product designed to last forever. They pose an ever-increasing problem to aquatic environments, as they don’t … Read more
Join our Green Boating Community Filling up our tanks is the most common way that we unintentionally pollute our waters – even a tiny spill is toxic to our waterways, harming both animals and plants. The cost to prevent a fuel spill is significantly less than the cost to clean it up; so a little … Read more
Join Our Green Boating Community Cleaning products are necessary for dissolving and removing dirt, grime, allergens and germs. However, most cleaning products are not made to be directly released into our waterways. Ingredients in certain cleaners can damage fish tissues or persist in the environment and enter the food chain. Some products also contain phosphorous and nitrogen, which can put excess nutrients into the water causing algal blooms which can be harmful to coral reefs and coastal ecosystems. Instead, many cleaning products are created to … Read more
Join Our Green Boating Community Graywater is the untreated water from your onboard sinks, showers, washing machine, dishwasher and the wastewater from cleaning your boat with detergents, soaps and bleaches. It’s a major polluter of the marine environment, especially in ports and coastal areas. In some states, graywater is considered sewage and regulated as such, … Read more
Join Our Green Boating Community Everything below the waterline of your boat is part of the marine ecosystem. Left without any protection, your boat will start to attract multiple organisms, including algae, slime, seaweed, barnacles and mussels. How do you prevent growth on your hull? The most common method to prevent this growth (also known … Read more
Join our Green Boating Community What steps should you take if you spill fuel or oil into the water? 1. First identify the cause and source of the spill and if possible, stop the source immediately. 2. Notify the marina or fuel dock (if applicable), as they should have oil absorbent pads and booms to … Read more
Join Our Green Boating Community What is blackwater and how does it affect aquatic environments? Sewage discharge (also known as blackwater) contains pollutants including nutrients, metals, toxins and pathogens. Blackwater discharged from your boat can impair water quality, negatively affect aquatic ecosystems and increase risks to human health. The law Under federal law, it is … Read more
