Petroleum Products
Maintaining your inboard engine can cause special problems because of materials such as oil, gasoline, and antifreeze. The discharge of all of these materials is prohibited under federal and state law and detrimental to the environment.
The hydrocarbons and heavy metals which are present in petroleum products are toxic even in very small amounts. Some petroleum products are even suspected of causing cancer.
Gasoline
According to the Massachusetts Audubon Society, one gallon of gasoline can contaminate 750,000 gallons of drinking water. Many Ohioans don't realize that the type of gas we choose for our boat motors and the manner in which we pump it, has a large impact on the environment.
The plastic hoods you see on many gas pump nozzles are actually vapor controls. The special gas hose fits over the tank opening and sucks fumes into the underground storage tank, preventing the vapors from escaping. Ohio requires all gas stations and marinas to install this vapor-control equipment.
If there is a vapor catcher on a pump you are using, don't pull it back, and don't pull out the gas nozzle to top off the tank. If the pump nozzle is removed to top off the tank, this will allow gas vapors to escape into the atmosphere and create smog. Topping off the tank often produces small toxic slicks in the water. Fillling the gas tank to the brim also forces out extra hydrocarbon vapors. A variety of these hydrocarbons found in gasoline help create ozone smog when they evaporate.
Inspect your fuel lines regularly. Replace deteriorated ones with a USCG Type A alcohol resistant fuel line hose. The alcohol content of unleaded fuels can deteriorate fuel lines in several months.
Probably the best reason to be careful when refueling your boat is the personal safety of you and your passengers. most boat explosions occur soon after refueling. Just a half-cup of gasoline spilled in the bilge can blow you and your boat to pieces.
Antifreeze
Releasing antifreeze into the water is detrimental to the environment and wildlife. Because of its high toxicity, just a small amount of concentrated liquid can be lethal to wildlife and even the family pet. Drain old antifreeze into a sealable container for onshore disposal.
It is best to use antifreeze containing propylene rather than ethylene glycol mixtures since propylene is much less toxic. Non-toxic, water soluble antifreeze can also be purchased. When flushing out old antifreeze, dispose of it properly. Check your local area for gas stations or marinas that will accept used antifreeze.
Oil
One single quart of oil when spilled can create an oil slick as large as three football fields of water surface in no time and remain in an area for up to two years. The top layer of any body of water is important habitat for aquatic life. When oil is spilled, the sheen that it produces often remains on this layer, affecting fish, waterfowl, and wildlife. when a used quart of motor oil is poured into the ground, it can seep into the groundwater and contaminate 250,000 gallons of drinking water supplies.
Keep a couple oil-absorbent pads on hand in case you spill oil or gas into the water.
Oil can be recycled easily. Motor oil never goes bad, it just gets dirty. Collect used oil in a liquid tight container. Check the yellow pages in your community to see who accepts oil for recycling. Local gas stations and quick oil change businesses may also accept oil. Call them for any special requirements. Also check with your local marina, they may provide recycling on site.
Safe and Proper Use of Gas and Oil
Always be careful when using petroleum products around the water! Here are some tips on how to prevent gas and oil from coming into contact with Ohio's waters:
- Fill up your boat’s gas tanks while the boat is on the trailer, not in the water.
- It's easy to spill gas when filling a portable outboard tank. Take it off the boat and fill it on the dock.
- When fueling your boat, stop filling the tank when it's 90-95% full. Gas expands as it warms and could overflow if the tank is filled to its capacity.
- Wipe up any spilled gasoline, and dispose of wipe-up rags on shore. Use oil absorbent pads to catch drips while handling the fuel nozzle between the dock and the boat.
- When changing engine oil, wipe up any spills so the oil is not accidentally pumped overboard with the bilge water.
- Consider placing a bilge pillow in your bilge to remove oil from the bilge water. The bilge pillow prevents oil and gas that drips into your bilge from polluting the water. This polyethylene pillow acts as a sponge to absorb up to a quart of oil or gas. It floats in the bilge and does not absorb water or interfere with pumps or other gear. In this way, the oil will not be pumped overboard by your bilge pump.
- Consider buying an engine compartment pad. These highly absorbent pads can be spread beneath your engine to pick up drips and prevent gas or oil from seeping into your bilge and they do not absorb water.
- Invest in a do-it-yourself oil recycling kit. These come with containers that double as oil-draining receptacles and carrying cases for transporting the oil to a recycling center.
- Dispose of your used oil in a waste oil recycling container at a marina or gas station in your local area.
- Encourage marina operators to provide an oil recycling container for their customers.
|