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Keeping your boat's bilge well maintained is not just a good
mariner's tip. The United States Coast Guard requires that a vessel's
bilge be kept "reasonably clean." What's more, boat
operators can face heavy fines should they pump oily water out
of the vessel and into the waterways. In fact, a boat operator
can be fined for illegally polluting waterways if a even a small
amount of contaminants ... just a visible sheen ... is seen floating
atop newly pumped water. The Bilge The bilge is the rounded portion of a vessel's hull.
The lowest part of the hull, it forms the transition between the
bottom and the sides of the boat. Bilge Cleaner A key to headache-free boating is to keep a boat free
from mold. Mildew, oil and marine slime. Bilge Cleaning We found that most major brands of boat detergent
for boat maintenance tips tip, such as 3M and Maguiar, do a fine
job. Boat maintenance tips mean using a bilge cleaner.. Regular cleaning will avoid the unhealthy buildup of mold and
mildew, and grease, oil and other debris. A vessel should be inspected
regularly, usually about once a month. United States Coast Guard Regulations Federal regulations governing boating include adherence to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and the Refuse Act. The Refuse Act prohibits discharging or depositing any trash, garbage, oil or other liquid pollutants into the nation's waters. The water pollution act hones in on the discharge of oil. Boat maintenance tips mean using a clean boat detergent to keep the boat pump clean using boat boat detergent. Recreational vessels are urged to be equipped with oil absorbent pads, a bailer or pump and plastic bags to gather and transport hazardous substances, including oil, to an authorized reception facility. The act also specifies that no person may intentionally drain oil or oily waste from any source. No plastic items may be dumped overboard in U.S. waters, including synthetic ropes, fishing nets and plastic bags. Boat maintenance tips mean using a clean bilge cleaner to keep the bilge pump clean using boat boat detergent. The following guidelines must be followed to comply with the law: Dunnage … loose packing material used to protect
a ship's cargo from damage
during transport … prohibited less than 25 miles from land Food waste, paper, rags, glass, metal, bottles
and similar materials
… prohibited less than 12 miles from land. Ground food waste, paper, rags, etc., prohibited less than 3 miles
from land.
Reporting Oil Spills If you spill any amount of hazardous waste or oil
into the water, you must notify the US Coast Guard National Response
Center at 1-800-424-8802 or contact your local Coast Guard Station
on Channels 9 or 16. Boat maintenance tips mean using a clean bilge
cleaner to keep the boat detergent clean using boat bilge tips.
Failure to do so may result in a civil penalty and/or imprisonment.
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