Canadians are blessed with the largest supply of freshwater lakes and rivers in the world. While boaters are responsible for a very small percentage of water quality problems, it is in our best interest to lead the charge in protecting these waters, and everyone can do a little better.

What the Marine Industry is Doing
The Ontario Marine Operators Association (OMOA) is the largest marine trade group in Canada, representing 447 marinas, yacht clubs and boat dealers as well as another 167 suppliers to the industry. In 1997, the OMOA, with support from the Ontario Ministry of Environment (MOE) and Environment Canada (EC), produced a Clean Marine Practices Handbook. Like the customers they serve, marinas unknowingly had developed habits over the years that were detrimental to good environmental management. This handbook demonstrated “Environmental Best Management Practices” in all areas of marina operations. The handbook was updated in 2000, is currently being revised again and more than 350 marinas and yacht clubs are putting it to good use.

Environmental Certification or “Eco-Rating”
In 1999, a method of auditing the environmental performance of these participating facilities was developed based on the activities described in the handbook. This “Eco-Rating” audit of more than 220 business practices results in a rating from one (good performance) to five (world leaders in environmental protection) green leaf anchors.

This Program has enjoyed considerable success.  In the six years since its inception, 260 marinas and yacht clubs have been Eco-Rated, making it the most successful marina program in the world. After having two, three year contracts with MOE and EC, funding to operate the program was discontinued when the last contract ended in December 2006. MOE extended the funding for 2007 and 2008 while EC has declared they would not fund any further requests. This program is too important to the OMOA, its members, their boaters, and most of all to Ontario’s lakes and rivers to let it be forgotten. It will continue in some form for the foreseeable future. GE Commercial Finance is now a major sponsor as well.

Ironically, after several attempts to expand the program across Canada, it is currently operating in Quebec, and the Georgia Strait Alliance will launch a pilot program this year in British Columbia.

To put the success of the Clean Marine program into perspective, some statistics are in order:

• In 2007, more than 971,000 sq ft of shrinkwrap that formally went to landfill was collected and recycled by 10 Ontario contractors.
• 71,000 litres of used oil was collected and recycled; 90% of participants used low-toxicity anti-freeze for winterizing engines; more than 20% was saved for re-use and 24,000 litres were recycled.
• One supplier of EcoLogo (Federal Government certified) environmentally responsible bottom wax has sold 750,000 bottles, eliminating the use of other less desirable products.
• In 2003, the first marina achieved the highest five-anchor rating and at the time of this writing, 43 have since earned that rating.

The OMOA is committed to the Clean Marine Eco-Rating program, and moving toward the ultimate goal of having every marina and yacht club participating in the program.

How Can Boaters Participate
As boaters you may ask, “We’ve always been conscious of our environmental responsibility around the water, but what else can we do?” It is highly unlikely that boaters would consciously pollute the waters they enjoy so much. Without being properly informed of the consequences, however, we may have, over time, adopted practices that we now realize may be detrimental to good water quality.

Boaters are not just the “rich guys” with expensive yachts. They are canoeists, kayakers, sailboarders, anglers, hunters, water-skiers and all who enjoy great recreational activities on our lakes and rivers. Boaters are not major contributors to decreasing water quality if the total picture is observed, but they can be contributors. One litre of spilled gasoline can contaminate 20,000 litres of water. Oily water from a messy bilge leaves a choking rainbow-hewed slick, as does the exhaust residue from an aging outboard engine.

Obviously, larger powerboats have more impact than kayaks and canoes, but anyone being careless will have a detrimental effect; therefore, everyone can contribute in some way to protecting the environment.  If we all do our part and commit to making a more conscious effort and more informed choices, these lakes and rivers will be handed to our children and grandchildren in the best possible condition.

Consider the following suggestions for this boating season:

• Boat Cleaning – On the Water:  Many products traditionally used to clean hulls and decks contain chemicals like ammonia, phosphates and chlorine. None of these products should be released into the water. If your boat was waxed before launch, only fresh water is required for summer cleaning. If you’re aboard in the morning you can even eliminate the need for fresh water rinsing and preserve water by mopping down the decks before the dew dries.
• Bilge:  Any bilge fouling needs immediate attention. If oil is present, the cause should be identified and repaired. Minor spills may be wiped up, but major quantities will require hauling the boat ashore and cleaning done then. Under no circumstances should fouled bilges be treated with bilge cleaner and then pumped overboard. All boats with inboard engines should have a bilge sock to absorb any hydrocarbons. This can be a fire safety, as well as environmental concern. If you have an older diesel with persistent oil leaks, a filter on the bilge pump discharge line is the only cure.
• Fuel Waste:  To avoid wasting valuable fuel and producing excess exhaust emissions, do not leave engines idling for extended periods. One of the biggest environmental impacts you could make is simply replacing an old technology, two-stroke outboard. If you’re considering a new engine, purchase a new-technology, direct-injected two-stroke or four-stroke model. The minimal extra cost up-front will be returned many times over in decreased fuel cost. These models start and run better, burn considerably less fuel, and cause much lower emission levels to air and water.