As berth holders begin to prepare their boats for the new season we would like to remind everybody of the guidelines in place for undertaking this work. Providing a safe and sustainable facility is a key part of of our mission statement. We were proud to be one of the first marinas included in the new directory of environmentally friendly sites, as published by The Green Blue.
It is now important that we all play our part in protecting the local environment and waters and there is much that you can do too. Please read more about how to undertake routine winter maintenance on your vessels, following the guidance of The Green Blue and their Protect, Collect, Dispose campaign.
Tarpaulins must be laid under your vessel prior to undertaking any work, especially the removal and re-application of antifoul.
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Disposal of waste – we have waste solutions in the dedicated compound for correct disposal. This includes separate bins for oily rags, waste oil, oil & fuel filters, empty paint tins and antifoul / paint scrapings gathered on your tarpaulins. If you’re unsure please contact a member of the marina team.
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Please do not pressure wash topsides of your boat if this may spray debris onto neighbouring vessels – be courteous!
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Do not use hazardous or harmful chemicals – check labels and if they recommended by the Green Blue
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Use an approved engineer and book early! Our onsite tenants, listed below, can provide all aspects of marine maintenance.
JS MARINE Tel 07773 203647 Email info@jsmarineltd.com
PLATINUM MARINE ELECTRONICS Tel 01202 237585 Email info@platinummarine.co.uk
SALTWATER SOLUTIONS Tel 01202 748 312 Email info@saltwater-solutions.co.uk
XP RIGGING Tel 01202 937 524 info@xprigging.com
YELLOW PENGUIN Tel 01202 710 448 Email service@yellowpenguin.co.uk
You are also welcome to engage any other local contractors however please note there is a £30 per day contractors fee and they must register with the Marina Office so that we can ensure they are adhering to all our safety conditions and guidance.
All Vessel Owners, Tenants & Sub-Contractors must comply with this policy when working on site. Failure to comply will result in you being asked to stop work until you meet the requirements.
If you are unsure please contact the Marina Office for further guidance before commencing any works.
WHAT IS THE ISSUE?
While antifouling does a great job of keeping our hulls clean, and even has some environmental benefits such as improving fuel efficiency and preventing the spread of invasive non-native species, it is toxic to aquatic life. Most antifouls are copper or zinc based. Some of the compounds found in these antifouls can accumulate in marine organisms, and can find their way into marine wildlife further up the food chain.
The majority of copper in antifouling enters the marine environment through leaching. However, concentrated amounts do enter the marine environment during the removal of antifouling paint, which occurs mostly by water blasting or mechanical scraping, and can form concentrated deposits on land and in the waters around our marinas, clubs, and centres.
Protect, Collect and Dispose Initiative
Building on the successful, award-winning DIY Safe Antifouling programme launched in 2017, the British Coatings Federation (BCF), The Green Blue (RYA and British Marine) and The Yacht Harbour Association (TYHA) have launched the ‘Protect, Collect & Dispose‘ initiative focused on environmental best practice when antifouling yachts and boats.
The initiative has set out environmental best practice and is intended for DIY antifouling as well as for marinas and boatyards who offer professional antifouling services.
WHAT CAN I DO?
Choosing an Antifoul
Ask your local chandlery and talk to the paint manufacturers before buying your paint, so you get the best paint for your boat and for the boat’s environment. Antifouling depends on your boat type and location due to varying conditions and types of species found in specific regions.
Consider more environmentally friendly paints (such as low volatile organic compound paints) and non-biocidal coatings such as silicone, vinyl or ultrasonic technologies.
Cleaning Antifoul Paint Surfaces
Use a marina or boatyard wash-down system where available, that captures and filters antifoul contaminants
The water from pressure-washing your boat is contaminated and best efforts should be made to collect this. Portable bunding is one approach to use.
Removing Antifoul
Make sure that you only remove the fouling and paint that needs removing
Place a tarpaulin or groundsheet underneath the boat to protect the ground and collect debris
Wet abrade to minimise dust & clean the hull by wiping with a damp cloth
Industrial vacuum-cleaners linked to a scraper tool are useful
Avoid using paint strippers
Applying Antifoul
Use a groundsheet or tarpaulin to capture paint drips & drops
Use the correct application method for your paint – a roller and/or brush
Protect yourself – use PPE and work in a well-ventilated area
Disposal
Follow marina, boatyard or club procedures regarding hazardous waste disposal
All items that have been contaminated by paint are hazardous waste; dispose of carefully and legally
Think about what to do with the waste paint before starting the job
Take any waste paint to an approved disposal location
CHANGES AT PARKSTONE BAY
Marina Improvements
As part of our commitment to the Protect, Collect, Dispose campaign we now have a Wash Down area in the boatyard along with a filter system that collects the water and processes it before it heads back out into the bay.
In our new Hazardous Waste Compound we now have a disposal bin for Antifouling & Paint Scrapings and Empty Paint Containers.
We would like all berth holders undertaking antifouling works to place tarpaulins or dust sheets under their vessels and dispose of the waste collected in the bin provided.
Education
As a marina we have committed to spread the message from The Green Blue on Antifouling and many other Environmental Issues.
Further Information on Antifouling & The British Coatings Federation can be found here https://thegreenblue.org.uk/you-your-boat/info-advice/water-pollution-prevention/antifouling/