Green Boating Guide

Manage all waste properly

The new Vessel Pollution Prevention Regulations are designed to protect our marine environment. Raw vessel sewage contains pathogens that can cause illnesses, it will reduce available oxygen for local marine life, it could cause toxic algae blooms and may contain toxic chemical additives.

  • Do not discharge sewage while stopped or within three nautical
  • miles of shore.
  • Store sewage in holding tanks. Dispose regularly at pumpout
  • stations, or hire a mobile pumpout service.
  • Ensure your vessel’s marine sanitation device (MSD) is work
  • properly and discharge only when underway and a sufficient
  • distance from shore. MSDs should not be discharged at dock
  • or at anchor.
  • Use shore-side restrooms rather than boat heads, whenever possible.

Ballast Tanks
The discharge of ballast water and sediment can lead to the transfer of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens from one marine environment to another. Although vessels that travel exclusively in Canadian waters are exempt from Canadian ballast water regulations, when inside Canadian territorial waters, ballast water should be discharged away from shore, or in designated discharge zones. Transport Canada keeps an approved list of ballast water discharge zones.

Gear Overboard - STOW IT OR TIE IT DOWN!
Davy Jones’ locker doesn’t need any more stuff! The reality is that when you are on the water you are faced with wind, water and waves that try hard to knock stuff off your boat. If it moves, stow it or tie it down! This is not only good seamanship; this protects other mariners and marine life from unnecessary hazards.

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