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Contain Trash
Do not let trash blow overboard; trash must be retrieved.
Purchase and pack food in reusable and recyclable containers.
Buy products without plastic or excessive packaging - plastic used in products is harmful to fish and birds.
Do not throw cigarette butts overboard - they are made of plastic and are also harmful to fish and birds.
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Recycle
Recycle cans, glass, plastic, newspapers, antifreeze, oil, and lead batteries .
visit www.cleanup.org or call 1-800-cleanup.
Bring used monofilament fishing line to recycling bins at your marina or tackle shop.
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Prevent Accidental Spills
The most common causes of accidental spills are:
1. Discharge of oily bilge water.
2.Fueling and fuel transfers.
3.Hydraulic system failures.
4.Prevenable vessel sinking.
5.Improper vessel maintenance.
*Visit
www.glo.state.tx.us/coastal.html for spill prevention programs.
*Immediately report all coastal spills to 1-800-832-8224.*
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Fuel Cautiously
Remember, fuel expands as it warms up.
Fill your tank just before leaving on a trip.
If you do fill your tank upon your return to port, fill it only 90%.
Use oil absorbent material to catch drips from fuel intake and the vent overflow.
Fill portable fuel tank ashore.
Add a fuel stabilizer to your tank if you use your engine infrequently.
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Control oil in the Bilge
Keep your engines well tuned: no leaking seals, gaskets or hoses.
Place an oil absorbent pad under the engine.
Replace oil absorbent materials at least once a year.
Check fuel lines for damage - replace with alcohol resistant hoses.
Secure fuel hoses to prevent chafing and leaks.
Never discharge oily bilge water.
Keep bilges clean and dry whenever possible. Pump oily bilge water into a dockside holding tank or have it removed by a specialized company.
For locations of oil bilge water reclamation facilities along the Texas coast
visit
www.glo.state.tx.us/coastal.html
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Properly Dispose of Oil Absorbent Materials
If the pad is saturated with gas, allow it to air dry. reuse.
If the pad is saturated with diesel or oil, double bag it in plastic - one bag sealed inside another. Dispose in your regular trash.
Bioremediation bilge booms should not be put in plastic bags.
Discard in regular trash.
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Clean Gently
Wash your boat frequently with a sponge and plain water.
Use detergents sparingly.
Use phosphate - free, biodegradable and non-toxic cleaners.
Wax your boat- a good coat of wax prevents surface dirt from becoming ingrained.
Clean wood with a mild soap powder and a nylon brush.
Conserve water - put a spray nozzle on your hose.
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Be a responsible boater
Learn about environmentally safe products and practices.
Share the information with other boaters.
Obey laws governing speeding, littering and discharges.
Encourage boating facilities to provided trashcans, recycling bins and
pump out stations.
Support marinas that are environmentally responsible.
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Protect Sensitive Habitat
Proceed slowly in shallow areas.
Do not disturb wildlife.
Avoid contact with submerged aquatic
vegetation (SAV).
Watch your wake -- it can lead to shoreline erosion.
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Sewage
Never discharge raw sewage in US territorial waters.
Use restrooms on shore.
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Maintain Your Vessel Wisely
Collect all paint chips, dust and residue. Dispose in regular trash.
Share leftover paint and varnish.
Bring used solvents and waste gas to local hazardous waste collection day. For more information visit www.cleanup.org
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