This management measure is intended to be applied by
States to boats that have inboard fuel tanks. Under the Coastal Zone
Act Reauthorization Amendments of 1990, States are subject to a number
of requirements as they develop coastal nonpoint source programs in
conformity with this measure and will have some flexibility in doing
so. The application of management measures by States is described more
fully in Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program: Program
Development and Approval Guidance, published jointly by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Fuel and oil are commonly released into surface
waters during fueling operations through the fuel tank air vent,
during bilge pumping, and from spills directly into surface waters and
into boats during fueling. Oil and grease from the operation and
maintenance of inboard engines are a source of petroleum in bilges.
This measure was selected because (1) the practices have shown the
ability to minimize the introduction of petroleum from fueling and
bilge pumping and thus prevent a visible sheen on the water's surface
and (2) New York State requires the installation of fuel/air
separators on new boats. Boaters and fuel station attendants often
inadvertently spill fuel when "topping off" fuel tanks. They know the
tank is full when fuel comes out of the mandatory air vent. This is
preventable by the use of attachments on the air vent that suppress
overflowing. Boat bilges have automatic and manual pumps that empty
directly to marina or surface waters. When activated, these pumps
often cause direct discharge of oil and grease from operation and
maintenance of inboard engines. Oil-absorbing bilge pads contain oil
and grease and prevent their discharge.
As discussed more fully at the beginning of this chapter and in Chapter 1, the following practices
are described for illustrative purposes only. State programs need not
require implementation of these practices. However, as a practical
matter, EPA anticipates that the management measure set forth above
generally will be implemented by applying one or more management
practices appropriate to the source, location, and climate. The
practices set forth below have been found by EPA to be representative
of the types of practices that can be applied successfully to achieve
the management measure described above.
a. Use automatic shut-off nozzles and promote the
use of fuel/air separators on air vents or tank stems of inboard fuel
tanks to reduce the amount of fuel spilled into surface waters during
fueling of boats.
During the fueling of inboard tanks fuel can be
spilled into surface waters due to overfilling the fuel tank. An
automatic shut-off nozzle is partially effective in reducing the
potential for overfilling, but often during fueling operations fuel
overflow s from the air vent on the fuel tank of the boat. Attachments
for vents on fuel tanks, which act as fuel/air separators, are
available commercially. These devices release air and vapor but
contain overflowing fuel. The State of New York passed a law in 1990
that requires that all boats sold in New York after January 1, 1994,
have air vents on their fuel tanks that are designed to prevent fuel
overflows or spills. The commercial cost of these devices is
approximately $85 per unit. Marinas can make these units available in
their retail stores and post notices describing their spill prevention
benefits and availability.
b. Promote the use of oil-absorbing materials in
the bilge areas of all boats with inboard engines. Examine these
materials at least once a year and replace as necessary. Recycle them
if possible, or dispose of them in accordance with petroleum disposal
regulations.
Marina operators can advertise the availability of
such oil-absorbing material or can include the cost of installation of
such material in yearly dock fees. Marina operators can also insert a
clause in their leasing agreements that boaters will use oil-absorbing
material in their bilges. Pillows/pads that absorb oils and
petroleum-based products and not water are available. These
pillows/pads absorb up to 12 times their weight in oil and cost
approximately $40 for a package of 10 (Lab Safety, 1991).
