Running a marina requires a lot more than providing space to dock boats and maybe even starting a rental service. While this may be the bread and butter of its operations, it’s crucial to also be proactive about maintaining surrounding waterways clean. Not only is this the responsible and ethical thing to do, but it’s also required by local, state, and federal regulations.
That said, doing so requires a lot more than simply ensuring that the water looks clean. Taking on this task is a monumental responsibility, and requires knowing exactly which steps need to be taken — and how often — to ensure all coastal areas remain pristine and in optimal condition. But what are these requirements? Why are they so pressing? And what are the best ways to protect the waterways around your marina?
Why It’s Crucial to Protect Waterways and to Implement Marina Waste Management Policies
Protecting waterways isn’t something that should just be incidental to owning a marina. In fact, operating such facilities inherently comes with a higher risk of water pollution. This is due to several reasons, including:
- Hundreds of boats in the water, with their paint, oil, and related pollutants
- Increased erosion of the coastline
- The destruction of nearby ecosystems
In addition, having so many watercraft in the same area means the unavoidable reality of sewage discharge, as well as water runoff from the piers, roads, and marina parking lots.
Multiply all of these effects by the thousands of marinas in the United States, and it becomes evident how these issues can pose a wide scale environmental problem.
Caring about these impacts — and doing something about them — is essential to continue to enjoy popular water activities, such as boating, jet-skiing, and wakeboarding. It’s also fundamental to protect wildlife in their natural habitats and to maintain the beautiful views that make coastal living such an attractive endeavor. And of course, there’s that ever present important matter of complying with environmental federal regulations.
Environmental Protection Act Penalties
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) establishes criminal provisions for water pollution. Specifically, polluting waterways also results in substantial financial consequences that in some cases can jeopardize a business’ ability to continue operating. Some examples include:
- Up to $25,000 penalty per day for knowingly or negligently discharging a pollutant into the water. This applies to first-time offenses.
- Up to $50,000 per day for subsequent violations.
- Up to $100,000 per day if a marina continues to pollute waters.
- Imprisonment between one to six years, depending on the number of violations.
A person who becomes aware of these discharges and who fails to report the marina can also be subjected to fines and imprisonment.
These types of penalties — and the potential jail time — are certainly serious enough to warrant prioritizing keeping waterways clean. And to do so, it’s important to be aware of the most effective ways of doing so.
6 Ways to Protect Waterways Around Your Marina
There are many ways to keep waterways around your marina clean; and they would likely work best if you include them in your policies and procedures. Also, remember to properly train staff so that they are aware of them and how to implement them. Some of the best practices include:
1. Stay Updated on EPA Rules
Every federal regulation gets updated regularly to accommodate recent findings, scientific discoveries, industry trends, and cutting-edge technologies. Therefore, developing procedures based on rules you learned a while ago isn’t sufficient to remain in compliance.
One of the most effective ways to stay up-to-date on any amendments is to subscribe to notifications from the Federal Register. This is the official publication of federal notices, proposed rules, and new laws. You can manage your subscriptions to receive only those that are pertinent to your industry.
2. Provide Regular Maintenance to Your Fleet
Providing regular preventive maintenance to boats and other marina assets enables you to identify potential risks before they cause serious harm — such as fuel inefficiencies and oil leaks. This tip also takes care of other elements of successfully running a marina, such as keeping renters safe and ensuring that your assets last as long as possible.
3. Use Non-Toxic Cleaning Supplies
Some cleaning products contain high levels of toxicity that can damage waterways, coral reefs, and marine wildlife. Yet, you still want to ensure you’re using supplies that are effective enough to remove oil and grime. This can be dicey, considering that manufacturers aren’t required to list ingredients — and even if they did, it can be difficult to identify noxious ones.
Thankfully the EPA has a Boater’s Guide to Less Toxic Cleaning, with a list of homemade detergents that are effective for cleaning watercrafts. California’s Division of Boating and Waterways has a similar list of non-toxic alternatives. For those who would rather simply purchase a product, the Boat U.S. Foundation has also compiled a list of greener cleaners.
4. Conduct Repairs Out of the Water
No matter how long you’ve been working with boats and how confident you feel in your ability to take care of them, any leaks or spills are significantly easier to control if they occur on land than on the water. It’ll also help you identify potential issues you may have otherwise missed because of poor underwater visibility.
5. Contain Sewage and Waste
Here’s another regulation that addresses boat sewage and waste management: The Clean Vessel Act was assigned into law in 1992 to reduce water pollution by prohibiting watercraft from dumping sewage into coastal waterways. It also established a grant program to fund adequate disposal facilities. Some jurisdictions require navigating several miles out into the sea to dispose of boat sewage; and it is crucial to be mindful of such rules to protect coastal zones, keep people safe as they swim and fish, and safeguard specific natural habitats.
6. Store Products Safely
Operating a marina also means handling solvents, oils, and other hazardous waste. All of them should be stored in the right containers and away from drains — or anywhere that could expose them to ignition. In addition, designate a team member to inspect them on a regular basis for any leaks, or whether they have reached their expiration date.
Finally, implement a system for recycling boat batteries. Research into local areas that will take them, and wrap them in a tarp for their transportation. Make sure to dispose of them timely, since long-term storage can lead to leaks that are hazardous to the environment and human health.
Let Us Help You With Marina Fleet Management Solutions
At Rastract, we offer all of the solutions you need to facilitate your fleet management. We have extensive experience providing the right technologies for a wide array of industries, including government, heavy equipment, medical, public safety, marinas, boat rentals, oil and gas, and many more.
Contact us and let us know how we can help you improve your processes and keep your assets in optimal condition.
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