Safe Boating Guide - 53

Reduce Pollution from Bilges
Oil, fuel, anti-freeze and transmission fluid are a few examples of
pollutants that harm the environment when pumped overboard - usually
by automatic bilge pumps. Bilge cleaners, even the biodegradable ones,
just break down the oil into tiny, less visible droplets - but it is still present.
Absorbent bilge cloths are very useful because they are designed to absorb
petroleum products and repel water.
Here are a few tips to help keep bilge pollution at a minimum:
* Make sure your bilge is clean before you turn on automatic bilge pumps.
Only use them when needed and when the bilge contains only water.
Use Environmentally Friendly Cleaners
All-purpose cleanser
Mix 30 ml of baking soda or borax, 30 ml of tea tree essential oil, 125 ml of
vinegar, 15 ml of biodegradable dish soap and 2 litres of hot water. Spray on
the surfaces you plan to clean.
Chromium
* Use towels or bilge cloths to absorb oils, fuel, anti-freeze and
transmission fluid. Dispose of used towels or bilge cloths in an approved
garbage container.
Help Keep Out the Invaders
Invasive exotic species are plants, fish, shellfish and even tiny algae or
bacteria that enter into waters that are not their natural home. They then
multiply and crowd out the plants and animals that do belong there. Many
have seen invasive species, such as zebra mussels and green crab, take
over local waters.
You can do your part by keeping your hull clean. This is very important if
you operate your boat on a lake or river and then tow it over land to use
in another area. Rinsing or cleaning your hull after use or before entering
new waters helps to remove spores and other invasive organisms. Some
communities require this in their local bylaws.
Remember that dumping live bait, such as fish bait or crayfish in a lake is
one way you risk bringing invaders into an area where they do not belong.
This can cause serious harm to the food chain and local ecosystem.
To learn more about aquatic intruders, read Aquatic Invasive Species -
Identification Booklet. J'ai aussi changé le lien dans le document Word.
Rub with baking soda. Rinse and polish with vinegar in hot water.
Deck and floor
Pour 250 ml of vinegar in 2 litres of water.
Drain
Pour 60 ml of baking soda in the drain, followed by 60 ml of vinegar. Let it
rest for 15 minutes, then pour in a full kettle of boiling water.
Mold
Add 60 ml of borax and 30 ml of vinegar to 500 ml of hot water. Spray the
mixture to eliminate germs.
Toilet
Pour 125 ml of baking soda and 125 ml of vinegar into the toilet bowl. The
foaming reaction cleans and deodorizes. Brush and flush.
Window and mirror
Mix 2 ml of liquid soap, 45 ml of vinegar and 500 ml of water in a spray
bottle. Use a cotton rag to clean and shine.
Wood (polish)
Mix 30 ml of edible linseed oil, 30 ml of vinegar and 60 ml of lemon
juice in a glass pitcher. Rub the solution into the wood with a soft rag until
it is clean. To store the solution, add a few drops of vitamin E from a
capsule and cover.
53
ON THE WATER
http://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2013/mpo-dfo/Fs124-5-2013-eng.pdf http://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2013/mpo-dfo/Fs124-5-2013-eng.pdf
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