Ways to reduce your environmental footprint on the water

That said, there are many ways to reduce your impact while still enjoying your favourite hobby.

Whether you’re new to boating, or an old hand, these tips will help you enjoy the water more sustainably.

Sustainability has been front and centre of every industry over the past decade, and boating is no exception.

Sustainable boating practices aim to reduce environmental impact and keep our waters clean.

The sustainable boating movement is about being conscious of the impact boating activities have on the environment, and taking steps to reduce harmful activity.

Why is sustainability important? Mainly it's to keep our waters healthy for marine life.

When we enjoy the water responsibly, we’re able to keep native marine life healthy and ensure that future generations can enjoy the ocean.

One of the best ways to do this is to reduce a boat's carbon footprint as much as possible.

So far, the degradation of the ocean has been largely down to human activity, which has resulted in a 30 per cent increase in the ocean’s acidity. 

So far, the degradation of the ocean has been largely down to human error, as human activity has resulted in a 30 per cent increase in the ocean’s acidity. 

This extra acidity makes it more difficult for marine life to thrive and has meant that organisms such as coral, plankton and crustaceans dissolve.

Sustainable boating aims to reduce carbon dioxide outputs, which is one of the leading causes of increased acidity in our oceans.

Sustainable boating aims to reduce carbon dioxide outputs, which is one of the leading causes of increased acidity in our oceans.

By following these tips, you can enjoy more sustainable boating:

Prevent leaks and spills

Leak prevention is one of the easiest ways to reduce your impact while boating. The fuels and oils that run our boats are toxic to sea animals, so it’s important to ensure that leaks are properly prevented and managed.

Regularly check your boat for leaks.

Ensure that fuel tanks are properly secured shut, as partially opened fuel tanks are a common and avoidable cause of diesel spills. Also check fuel lines to ensure they are not perished or splitting, as fuel running into the bilge may trigger the automatic bilge pump that will pump it outside the boat, creating a slick.

If you notice a leak, make sure you clean it straight away as any residue that gets into the water becomes a risk to marine life. 

More modern outboard engines use features such as spill guards so that even when a boat is serviced on the water, any oil that drips or spills is caught.

Update your engine

Part of the solution may be to update your boat’s engine. Modern inboard and outboard engines are designed to run much more fuel-efficiently than previous generations, reducing their environmental footprint.

Marine engine makers are also now starting to look at how they can electrify their products to either run as a hybrid, using an electric motor to assist a petrol or diesel engine, or as a purely electric motor.

Some harbours overseas are also mandating that boats need to leave and enter the space using zero-emissions propulsion, making systems that can run for short distances and at low speeds on electricity alone an important part of boating.

Don’t throw rubbish into the water 

This one seems obvious, but it also goes for guests on your boat.

When on the water, be mindful of cleaning up after yourself. That includes any fishing line or bait bags that have a tendency to disappear overboard rather than in a rubbish bag.

Make it an aim to not contribute to the immense amount of water pollution largely generated by humans who don't even visit the water. 

Look into a carbon offset program

You can do your part to reverse the damage caused by CO2 by buying carbon offsets. Carbon offsets counter CO released into the atmosphere.

Clean Ocean Foundation and Greenfleet have paired up to create a great carbon offset program that reduces ocean pollution. 

Use non-toxic cleaning and antifoul products 

Lots of the cleaning products used on boats have toxic ingredients which contribute to water pollution. 

Where possible, use eco-friendly cleaning products on board. 

If you're using antifoul on your boat, be aware that they are made to be toxic to the algae and barnacles that will attach to your boat, and slough off over time.

It may be better for the environment – and the boat – to use less antifoul more often than a lot of it infrequently.

A lot of work is also going on to create silicon-based wraps that have good antifouling qualities without the toxicity of paint-on antifoul.

Maintain your boat

Regular boat maintenance is very important, as it will help to determine:

Manage wastewater

Wastewater is a byproduct of boating that can be damaging if it isn’t managed. There are two main types of wastewater:

Black water, which is waste from the toilet.

Grey water, or waste from other forms of water usage. It includes kitchen, sink and shower water. 

If wastewater enters the ocean, it can be harmful to marine life and the quality of the ocean. 

Many popular boating destinations are now providing sewage pump-out stations so that boaters can dispose of grey and black water safely. Be aware that there are very strict rules about where boats can discharge liquid waste.

Do not disturb marine life

Getting too close to sea creatures can intimidate or scare them. The ocean is their home, so treat marine life with respect and keep your boat at a safe distance from them.

Australia's states and territories all have very specific rules about what to do when you encounter marine wildlife.

Use renewable energy systems on your boat

Using renewable energy on your boat will result in less engine usage, which reduces pollution. 

Where possible, use the sun, wind and water as energy sources to make your boat more sustainable.

Boat-makers are even looking at how they can swap out petrol- or diesel-powered generators on a boat for lithium-ion battery packs that can recharge while the main engine is running, or using solar power. 

And if you know how to sail, opt for a sailing boat as they’re the most sustainable option.

Use non-toxic bottom paint

The antifouling used on the bottom of boats is often toxic for sea creatures. Make sure that you’re using non-toxic paints on your boat to minimise this risk.

Learn how to anchor properly and safely

Without proper knowledge of safe anchoring, you may harm sea life and damage important ecosystems, including coral reefs and seagrass. 

Using the right type of anchor can make a big difference to how it affects the sea floor as it takes hold. Be aware, too, that a boat anchored in a seagrass bed can rotate around the anchor as tides and wind change, with the anchor chain cutting through the seagrass bed like a scythe.

Damage is easily preventable with proper anchoring techniques. Especially if you’re new to the water, make sure you learn how to anchor safely.

Start your sustainable boating journey

Without our beautiful waters, boating would not be as fun and rewarding as it is. Research shows that following a collective effort, the world’s oceans could be fully recovered within three decades. 

It’s up to each of us to do our part when boating, and with these 10 tips, you can reduce your impact. 

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