Protect the boating environment

For a full and FREE copy of the code, contact Carol Abel - cabel@britishmarine.co.uk - at the BMF. This publication is free to all, even non-BMF members.

The code is aimed at providing the legal framework and good practise advice for BMF members and RYA affiliated clubs and training centres, but is relevant to every leisure marine business. This code is based on the original BMF Environmental Code of Practice first published in 1997 and revised in 2000. Changing legislative requirements and an increasing number of directives from Europe have necessitated this further revision.

The code is voluntary, but there are certain legal requirements that are statutory and must be complied with.

The business case Environmental management systems (EMS) Whether a company has a The BMF has launched its latest Environmental Code of Practice, revised within only four years of the last edition in the face of changing legislation. Here's a taste of what will affect the leisure marine industry formal environmental management system (EMS) or not, any company serious about its environmental performance should have an environmental policy that defines its intentions and sets out a framework for achieving them.

An Environmental Policy Statement (EPS) is an effective way to communicate your environmental commitments to your backers, suppliers, customers and competitors. It shows your company is aware of environmental issues and is prepared to take a responsible and active approach in dealing with them.

Improving environmental performance can lead to increased efficiencies and competitive advantage. Remember - customers are increasingly enquiring about the environmental policies and practices of their suppliers and are purchasing from those companies that can demonstrate sound environmental management.

Why be sustainable?

Sustainable Development is not just about the environment.

There are wider significant business benefits to being more sustainable:

. Save money More prudent use of energy and water, and the reduction of waste production, brings financial savings for business and should be the focus for small companies.

. Comply with environmental regulations There are now tight controls on atmospheric and trade effluent emissions and on the disposal of waste materials.

Such controls have often necessitated improvements in management procedures and have led to improved environmental performance with, in many cases, significant operational cost savings.

. Conserve the boating environment:

This is particularly vital for leisure-based interests such as the recreational boating sector, whose products are often used in a sensitive environment.

. Respond to customer requirements Consumers are increasingly environmentally aware and not afraid of questioning companies on their operating and environmental procedures and the performance of their products.

Environmental education is now a part of the national curriculum - a whole generation of environmentallyaware individuals is growing up and will become your customers of tomorrow.

. Reduce the need for further legislation Environmental legislation is growing as the evidence-base for problems firms up, so it makes sense to take action before more stringent restrictions are imposed.

. Enhance company reputation By actively promoting environmental good practice in the goods and services provided, an organisation can improve its reputation.

Managing oils, fuels and hazardous materials Dispensing oil and fuel Fuel installations should be well maintained and all delivery hoses, pipe work and trigger nozzles kept to a high standard and secured, perhaps in a secure cabinet (with a drip tray).

Flexible delivery pipes should be kept in a bund and have a cut-off valve or lockable valve where it leaves the container.

"Trigger" delivery nozzles with automatic cut-off on release are considered good practise.

Any pump should have a check valve in the feed line to prevent the tank contents draining down in the event of damage to the pump or feed line. The pump should be positioned to minimise risk of impact damage.

The potential for leaks increases with the number of joints in the pipe work. You should ensure that an appropriate form of leak detection is in place. Locate dispensing facilities where spills can be contained easily.

Vessels should be refuelled adjacent to the dispensing point to ensure that none is spilt in to the water or the boat itself. Consider allocating a dedicated refuelling berth.

Fixed fuel tanks These should be filled adjacent to the fuel supply facility. Some free space should be left in the tank to avoid overflow should the craft tilt.

Absorbents and other materials used in a clean up operation will be classified as hazardous waste and should be properly disposed of.

Portable fuel tanks Portable tanks and spare fuel containers should be filled away from the water's edge and never overfilled. They must be clearly marked with the type of fuel and sited and secured safely on the vessel.

Mobile bowsers In England mobile bowsers must also comply with the Oil Storage Regulations. The bowsers should have secondary containment able to contain 110% of the bowser capacity. All ancillary equipment including sight gauges, vent pipes, valves and filters should be within the secondary containment.

Where fuel is delivered via a flexible pipe it should have a manually operated pump or valve at the delivery end that closes automatically. The pump or valve must have a lock and be locked shut when not in use. The pipe must have a lock where it leaves the container that is locked shut when not in use.

Where fuel is to be delivered by pump, an anti-siphon valve should be incorporated. When not in use, bowsers should be kept securely locked, preferably in a bunded compound well away from the water's edge or surface water drains.

A tank used for re-fuelling plant, yachts or vehicles should have the refuelling area surface water drainage isolated from the general site drainage system and passed through an oil separator.

Managing hazardous materials The agencies recommend you should:

. Keep an inventory of the types and quantities of chemicals and their location readily available . Ensure chemicals are labelled . Prepare contingency plans . Many pollution incidents occur as a result of poor security - protect your site . ontact your sewerage undertaker if hazardous materials are accidentally discharged into the foul water drainage network . Consider using an alternative, safer and less environmentally damaging chemical in your process . Do not pour any used or contaminated chemicals onto the ground.

Boat wash down, cleaning and maintenance There are several pieces of legislation that affect boat wash down and maintenance facilities.

The waste products of the wash down or boat maintenance may also be classified as hazardous, depending on their concentration, and will need to be disposed of as required under the appropriate waste regulations. The facility provider has a duty of care under the same regulations.

The concern with boat wash down occurs when antifouling scrapings are allowed to enter the water in large concentrations.

There have been cases where maintenance dredged material cannot be deposited at sea due to historically high levels of contaminants such as TBT.

Since the banning of TBT, copper biocides are the most commonly used alternative for antifouling paints. However, it is now thought that even low levels of copper compounds may be toxic to certain species and the use of copper based antifouling has been banned in some European countries.

The potential for impact is greatest where concentrated copper scrapings are allowed to enter the water, rather than the slow leaching process of the antifouling from boat hulls.

Antifouling products are also covered by a variety of regulations, such as the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health regulations (COSHH).

Under the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986 they are subject to legal requirements and approval by government ministers and it is the duty of the user to comply with the conditions of use printed on the product's label.

Use of scrubbing piles Simple actions can be taken to avoid pollution:

1. Any pigmented runoff while removing fouling indicates the water pressure is too high and is also removing a layer of paint.

2. When removing old antifouling paint, lay a plastic sheet beneath the vessel to collect the paint scrapings for correct disposal.

Management of waste at coastal facilities If you provide a landing place for boats coming in from the sea, you should provide adequate waste facilities and prepare a waste management plan as required under the Merchant Shipping (Port Waste Reception Facilities) Regulations 2003.

If you are within a harbour authority area, the prime responsibility falls on the authority itself. However, as an individual operator, you will be expected to co-operate in the production of a plan for the entire harbour.

If your landing place is outside a harbour authority you have to produce a plan and submit it to the MCA for approval.

A number of different waste types are produced by a range of activities at coastal facilities, eg, clubs, marinas, boat yards.

These include:

. Waste from boat owners such as old batteries, waste oil, general rubbish, beer cans etc . Waste produced during maintenance activities - paints, antifouling residues, waste oils, chemicals and solvents . General materials, including containers The key issues to consider:

. Reduce, reuse or recycle where possible . Make sure all wash down and maintenance is undertaken in designated dry dock or wash down areas. Collect and dispose of maintenance materials as special solid wastes . Most special waste will require a consignment note to be completed and accompany the movement of the waste; with a copy kept by everyone involved in the transfer and a copy sent to the regulator before the waste leaves the site . e waste must be transferred for recycling or disposal by a suitably licensed waste contractor and to an authorised person The BMF and RYA have published a guide: Port Waste Management, a guide for marina Operators And Coastal Clubs that is available through their respective websites.