Gloucester's many
rivers and the Chesapeake Bay bring much pleasure to all of us and
especially to those who enjoy boating. As a boater, you can play
an important role in improving water quality within Gloucester's
rivers and the Bay by being aware of boating impacts upon the
environment and by taking actions to practice good stewardship.
Boat wakes in small creeks can contribute to shoreline
erosion.
Eroding shorelines and sediments stirred up by speeding boats can
smother aquatic life and reduce available light essential to the
survival of underwater plants. To minimize this type of erosion
and sedimentation, be aware of your boat location and speed, and
take precautions to reduce the creation of wakes.
Water quality may also be degraded by poor boat maintenance
practices. Phosphates in soaps used to clean boats contribute to
excessive algal growth within the Bay. Instead of using soaps to
clean your boat, rinse and scrub your boat after each use or use
phosphate free soaps. Avoid products that remove stains or make
your boat "shine". These products are usually extremely toxic and
can kill marine life.
Agents used for boat painting and boat maintenance are often toxic
to plants and animals. When scraping the bottom of your
boat, catch all scrapings with a drop cloth and dispose of them
properly. To further protect water quality, be conscientious of
your fuel level to prevent fuel overflow and spills. It is also
helpful to recycle your boat's used oil.
It is illegal to discharge raw sewage from any vessel anywhere
within the Chesapeake Bay or its tributaries, at any distance from
the shoreline. It is very important to keep human waste out of the
water. These wastes contribute to algae blooms and oxygen
depletion within the Bay, leading to fish kills and more serious
problems. Raw sewage contains disease-carrying bacteria which can
be extremely harmful to human health.
Be sure to dispose of on-board waste only at approved on-shore
pump-out stations. The following is a list of pump-out facilities
in Gloucester County:
- Cooks Landing Marina
- Gloucester Point Marina
- Holiday Marina
- Jordan Marine Service, Inc.
- York River Yacht Haven Marina
For information on pump-out stations or to report station
maintenance problems, call 1-800-ASK-FISH.
Trash is one of the most visible forms of pollution. Litter tossed
from boats not only spoils the looks of rivers and streams, but
can injure, damage and even kill aquatic life. Never throw litter
overboard. Designate a storage area on your boat specifically for
trash. Install garbage and recycling cans on your boat and use
them!
Report
illegal dumping to the Coast Guard National Response Center at
1-800-424-8802 or through channel 9 on your VHF. Remember that the
Bay belongs to all of us.
