If you are a boat owner then you have a natural interest in
preserving the environment so that you can continue to enjoy recreational
fishing or boating. It is important to learn ways that you can clean your boat
that preserve the health of the natural environment. Here are some tips that
you can use while cleaning your boat to make sure you can help preserve the
waterways you enjoy.
Prevent Oil Discharge
It is important to keep the bilge clean and dry in order to
prevent oil fuel leaks. You can place an absorbent between the engine in
the bilge in order to catch any oil or residue. It is important to also get
your engine tuned on an annual basis to make sure that there are no oil leaks
or any other structural damage. If the absorbents collect any residue it is
important that you dispose of them at hazardous waste sites or collection
centers. If you decide to change your own oil make sure that you used a closed
system, such as an oil-change pump, and have absorbents ready in case there are
any spills. If you have an oil or chemical spill while cleaning your boat be
sure to report it to your local maritime officials. You can recycle your oil
filters at specific locations in order to further help with preservation and
conservation efforts.
Dry Land Cleaning
You can help keep the water your like to boat on clear and safe
by saving non-essential boat maintenance to the dry land. If you clean your
boat over the water then there is a likelihood that harmful chemicals can seep
into the water. If you have to make an emergency repair then make sure that you
use tarps or vacuum sanders in order to collect harmful debris. If you are
using any cleaning products near the water make sure that they are water-based,
biodegradable, phosphate-free and appropriately labeled as less toxic.
Reduce Toxic Discharge
Toxic chemicals can come from cleaning supplies as well as boat
paint or coating. You can use non-copper anti fouling coatings in order to
extend the life of paint on your hull and to prevent copper from infiltrating
the waterways. If you need to clean your hull, use non-abrasive sponges on dry
land for a thorough and soft cleaning. You can also keep your boat docked on
dry land to prevent the growth of bacteria and fouling marine growth on the
bottom of your boat. Ultimately, non-abrasive scrubbing agents will help to
preserve the lifespan of your hull and keep the waters clean from hazardous
chemicals and debris.
The products that you use on your boat will at some point come
in contact with the water. The health of your boat is dependent upon the health
of the water, so it is important to reduce the use of hazardous materials. If
you use chemically-rich cleaning products then do so away from the water on the
safety of dry land.
BoatLife offers some of the best eco friendly boat cleaning products on the web. Check out our blog, Different Types of Boat Cleaners, to see which cleaner works best for your needs. Please browse our inventory today and see for yourself why BoatLife is one of the leading boat cleaning supplies producers in the country.
