Leave Only Water In Your Wake
The boating community in New South Wales is fortunate to have an abundance of beautiful waterways and foreshores to enjoy. As we come to realise the limits that these environments can tolerate, and how close we are to those limits, it becomes essential for each of us to follow the best possible environmental practices in using and maintaining our boats on and around the water.
Sensible environmental practices in using and maintaining boats on and around the water will go a long way towards preserving the aquatic environment for future generations.
Here are some suggestions on how to enjoy the experience of boating while helping to safeguard the quality of our fragile environment.
- Make sure your boat and its engines are in good working order - regularly check seals, gaskets, hoses and connections for leaks and drips.
- Take care when filling your fuel tank to avoid spillage into the water. If you overfill your fuel tank, wipe the spill up with a rag. Do not hose the fuel into the water.
- Install a holding tank (on small craft this could be as simple as using a portable caravan/camping toilet) or an approved on-board sewage treatment system. Dispose of contents at waste receiving facilities at boat ramps and marinas.
- Limit the amount of water you use in sinks and showers. Use low or non-phosphate soaps.
- Wipe cooking utensils and plates clean with a paper towel before washing-up.
- Take care where you anchor, and avoid seagrass beds as these are important fish habitats.
- Travel at speeds that avoid excessive wash that may cause bank erosion, disturbance to sensitive river or seabed environments, or annoyance or danger to others.
- Keep your bilges clean to prevent pollutants being discharged overboard. Use an absorbent pad in the bilge to clean up oily water and always dispose of the absorbents appropriately.
- Understand and obey the restrictions for engine noise and amplified music that apply to your type of vessel. Consider noise in relation to the time and area in which you are boating.
- Prevent the spread of exotic aquatic weeds such as caulerpa taxifolia. Remove all plant fragments from trailers, props, anchors, ropes, chains and fishing tackle. Collect all pieces in a plastic bag, seal it and put the bag in a bin.
- Collect all your rubbish on board and dispose of it properly ashore - this includes cigarette butts.
- When possible, remove your boat from the water and clean where debris can be captured and disposed of properly.
- When your boat is being scraped or sanded, use a vacuum sander or place a drop sheet underneath to catch paint scrapings and dust dispose of these carefully.
- When painting your boat’s hull, use the right paint for the job and be sure to carefully follow the application instructions. Check with a marine painting professional to determine if there are alternatives and choose the most environmentally friendly products.
For further Information
Further information is available by contacting the NSW Maritime Authority as follows:
Translations of key safety messages have been provided into three languages: Chinese, Vietnamese, and Arabic. Select your language below to view messages and listen to the audio files.
