Protecting the marine environment is a shared responsibility. This means not only following environmental regulations, but also behaving responsibly beyond the rules.
The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from marine vessels (MARPOL) prohibits the dumping of oil, plastic, solid waste and chemicals. Many countries have their own environmental regulations with hefty penalties for disobeying them.
Tips for complying with rules and for respectful behaviour:
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Waste disposal
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Do not throw garbage and waste into the waterways or on the shore.
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Do not pour soap or any other substances harmful to the environment down the sink.
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Never pump the bilge contents into the sea, if the bilge water is not clear. Use a separate container and discard it as problem waste.
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Do not empty the septic tanks into the water. Constantly monitor the level of the septic tank and plan your trip with the locations of shore septic services in mind.
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Avoiding spilling contaminants:
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Check the bilge water regularly for contaminants such as oil, diesel, and glycol.
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Take care not to spill fuel, oil, detergents and solvents into the water. Keep oil absorbent material on board at all times for use in case of a spill or leakage.
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Do not overfill the tank. Make sure the fuel does not overflow into the sea from the fuel ventilation opening.
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Do not use substances harmful to the environment when caring for your boat. Follow local regulations about acceptable cleaning agents, waxes and paints.
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Minimizing exhausts and disturbance:
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Have your engines professionally serviced and run it at an economical speed.
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To reduce fuel consumption and to avoid disturbing other people, do not idle or rev the engines unnecessarily.
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Drive slowly to avoid erosion and disturbance caused by backwash from boat waves.
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