For more information on the Clean Boater Program, please contact DEP's Boating Division at 860-434-8638 or email dep.boating.division@
po.state.ct.us

Exceeding the Standards

Clean Marina Certification achieved From left: Senator Cathy Cook, Robert Snyder Jr., yard manager Dann Lockwood, CTDEP commissioner Arthur Rocque, previous dock manager Ethan Grimes, Congressman Rob Simmons.
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In June 2003 Dodson Boatyard LLC signed a pledge to become a Connecticut Clean Marina by June 23rd 2004. The Connecticut Clean Marina certification is given to marinas, by the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, that exceed standard practices to maintain an environmentally
friendly establishment.

As a companion to the Clean Marina Program, the Clean Boater Program encourages the state’s boaters to learn about and use clean boating techniques. Seasonal "boating education assistants" will walk docks and visit state boat  launches this summer, answering boaters' questions, handing out Clean Boater Packets, and encouraging boaters to sign a Clean Boater Pledge at right.

Clean Boating Tips

Use these tips and join the growing number of boaters and marina operators making sound choices to improve their boating environment.

For information on more environmentally safe hard bottom paints, please contact our Yard managers Mark and Dann.

For information on multi-season tarps as opposed to environmentally unfriendly shrink-wrap, please contact our Yard Managers Mark and Dann.

For more tips on becoming a clean boater please see our Dockmaster or launchdrivers for a Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection Clean Boater Kit.

Environmental tips for in-water hull washing

• Wait 90 days after applying new paint. Paints release more toxicant when new.
  
• Soft sloughing or ablative paints release toxicant and paint to water when cleaned. On these boats, clean only running gear and zinc anodes.
  
• Use only a piece of "carpet", sponge and other materials to clean the hull.
  
• Use soft nylon or similiar material on rotary brush machines.
  
• Use stainless steel brushes and pads on non-painted, metal areas only.
  
• Use more rigorous cleaning pads only as needed to remove hard marine growth.
  
• Do not sand or strip hull paint underwater.
  
• Bring zinc anodes back to shore; recycle or dispose of properly.
  
• Clean gently to avoid creating a plume or cloud of paint in the water.

Winterize and Commission Your Vessel Wisely

• Use a dust-less or vacuum sander, or a drop cloth to collect all paint chips, dust and residue.
• Bring used maintenance products and chemicals to local hazardous waste collection sites.
• Use less-toxic propylene glycol antifreeze (usually pink).

Clean Responsibly

• Wash your boat frequently with a sponge and plain water or use phosphate-free, biodegradable cleaners
• Avoid cleaners with bleach, ammonia, lye or petroleum distillates.
• Wax boat to prevent dirt from becoming ingrained.

Fuel Cautiously

• Prevent spills by filling fuel tanks slowly and carefully.
• Never "top off" or overfill your fuel tank. Leave 10% of tank empty for fuel to expand as it warms up.
• Use absorbent material to catch drips from the fuel intake and the vent overflow.
• It is illegal to use soap to disperse fuel or spills.
• Report spills promptly to CT DEP’s Spill Response at (860) 424-3338 and USCG at (800) 424-8802.

Maintain Your Engine & Bilge

• Slip a plastic bag over used oil filters to prevent drips when doing oil changes.
• Keep your engine well tuned to prevent fuel and oil leaks.
• Check fuel lines for damage. Replace with alcohol resistant hoses.
• Never discharge bilge water with an oily sheen (it’s illegal).
• Place absorbent material in the bilge and under the engine. Check them often.

Properly Dispose of Absorbent Materials

• If pad is saturated with gas, air dry and reuse.
• If pad is saturated with diesel or oil, boaters may double-bag pads and discard in the trash.

Contain Trash

• Secure trash on board.
• Pack food in reusable containers.
• Don’t toss cigarette butts overboard; filters are plastic and deadly to birds and fish.

Recycle

• Recycle cans, glass, plastic, newspaper, antifreeze, oil filter and oil.  Recycle spent lead acid batteries where you buy them and bring used monofilament fishing line to tackle shops for recycling.

Handle Sewage Appropriately

• Use marina restroom facilities when at the dock.
• Use and maintain a U.S. Coast Guard approved Marine Sanitation Device (MSD).
• Use a holding tank (Type III MSD) in No Discharge Areas. These areas prohibit the use of Type I and II MSDs.
• Rinse holding tanks regularly with fresh water to reduce odors.
• Avoid using additives like formaldehyde in your holding tank. Use safer enzyme-based products.
• Use pumpout stations and DEP funded pumpout boats.

Dispose of Fish Waste Properly

• Do not throw fish waste into marina waters.
• Discard waste offshore or in the trash.
• Freeze fish waste and reuse as chum or bait.

Protect Sensitive Habitat

• Proceed slowly in shallow areas; avoid contact with underwater vegetation.
• Do not disturb wildlife.
• Watch your wake. It can cause erosion

Leave Nuisance Species Behind

• Remove weeds and plants from your trailer and boat before leaving boat launch.
• Drain bilge and bait wells when hauling your boat to prevent spread of invasive species.
• Share live bait or dispose of properly – don’t release in the water.

Be a Clean Boater

• Learn about environmentally safe products and practices. Share the information with other boaters.
• Obey laws governing littering, sewage, discharge, and no wake zones.
• Encourage your marina to provide recycling bins and pumpout stations.
• Support CT Clean Marinas.
• Take a Clean Boater Pledge.