BoatUS Offers Clean Boating Tips

Each year, an estimated 18 billion pounds of plastic is dumped into oceans from coastal regions. According to a study by the World Economic Forum, at the current rate of pollution, there will be more plastics than fish, by weight, in the ocean by 2050. The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water has released tips for boaters to reduce waste and pollution that marinas can use as reminders for their customers.

1. Pack for the boat trip: Microplastics are very small pieces of plastic, less than 5mm in size, that are the result of larger plastic products partially decomposing from sunlight, heat and wave action. Studies show that ingested microplastics can seriously damage marine organisms. One of the simplest ways to reduce plastics aboard boats boat is to fill up and carry aboard (or stash in a cooler) an insulated container that can hold enough cold water for the day instead of buying individual bottles. Invest in a set of non-breakable plates, cutlery, and food and drink containers to limit single-use plastics aboard.

1. Get crew involved: Remind the crew not to put anything overboard. When underway, secure possessions as well as any trash below deck or in a storage container. If anything is lost overboard, or plastic pollution is found floating b, it may be a good opportunity — and good practice — for the captain and crew to safely conduct a man-overboard drill to retrieve the item.

1. Recycle: If the marina or boat club doesn’t have a recycling program for plastics and other recyclables, ask about starting one. Ensure all boating guests know where recyclables go. When fishing, retrieve fishing line snags where possible, and when respooling, recycle the old line instead of throwing it in the trash.