Program Manual Introduction

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For Boatyards

BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES OR BMPs are: All activities and devices that help prevent or reduce water pollution. Pollution may be carried to the water by storm drains, seeping through the ground, by falling from the air, or by direct spills or dumping. Some BMP examples would be: Good Boatyard Practices, Education, Signs, Notices, Boatyard Rules and Regulations, Waste Receptacles, Spill Prevention and Rapid Clean-Up plans, exchanged used oil absorbents to name a few.

This Clean Marine Program is an excellent guide to BMPs that can be used throughout Marinas, Yacht Clubs, and Boatyards to keep boating waters clean and healthy.

Clean Marine Review:

Boatyard reviews will be conducted by an experienced impartial industry 3 person review team comprised of a cross section of professionals in the marine industry and related activities. These review members must have experience in past reviews. They must have demonstrated a fairness and consistency of understanding in the scoring process. The goal of all teams is to provide uniformity in all reviews. For example; the review process can take from 2 to 3 hours or more and a consistent amount of time must be spent during the outdoor portion of the inspection as allocated to the indoor portion of the review. It is important to verify that all items exist in accordance to the answers on the score sheets. All reviewers must be from a certified clean marina or certified clean marine boatyard, and must have experience in the mentoring and review process.

- Points required by regulation are color coded. For point percentages refer to the final section of the Score Sheets document. 100% of the points are required for designation.

- The certification fee is $1,200; the recertification fee is $800 every 5 years for each review whether you pass or fail.

- A flag, burgee, and window decals with the Clean Marine Program logo will be mailed to each boatyard that becomes designated as a Clean Marine facility, after the impartial team's review.

- A certificate of Best Management Practices will also be awarded to each designated clean boatyard.

- The Clean Marine logo(s) will be available to be used by any Clean Marine Boatyard designated facility for marketing or other materials.

To schedule a review contact:

shipshape@cleanmarine.org

Review Team:

Reviewers are trained to award points only if earned. There is no awarding of partial credit of points in this process. This rule exists to encourage total implementation of each BMP. While there may be few boatyards receiving 100%, or perfect scores, the program is designed to encourage future improvements along with a culture that rewards future improvements.

Mentoring:

When a boatyard is interested to become certified, contact the Clean Marine administrator where someone with past experience will be assigned to mentor them through the process of getting ready for review. The mentoring process has proven to be very successful especially for new certifications as well as in preparation after a 5 year period has passed to recertify. Not all reviews have resulted in certification. Some simply were not prepared and are mentored further until they are able to pass. The Clean Marine program administrator will not allow for anyone to gain certification without a consistent review. In addition team members are trained to point out areas for future improvements. Please contact us for a Mentor or Reviewer in your region.

Recertification:

The certification process is for a period of 5 years. Near the end of this period a copy of the original score sheets along with other helpful documents for preparation are sent to the boatyard. A review date is determined and one review team member will complete the review. A grace period of 90 days will be given at the end of the 5 year certification date to obtain recertification. If the boatyard does not gain recertification during that time then they must start all over again from the beginning to become certified again. Emphasis is made for the boatyard to improve its original score while implementing as many new BMPs that have been added since their first certification. The recertification process so far has shown that the vast majority of reviews have used the past 5 years to steadily improve their scores by implementing additional BMPs.

Procedures to follow for certification and re-certification:

1. Go on line to www.cleanmarine.org. Read the manual and then print out a copy of the score sheets and outside check list.

2. Immediately score your facility to determine the areas that need improvement. Keep this score sheet and outside check list and turn them in at the time of your actual certification. This information is vital to track the progress and improvements made during the mentoring period.

3. Contact Clean Marine by email at shipshape@cleanmarine.org to inform us that you would like to have a mentor assigned to help you through the process.

4. Once you are ready for certification email shipshape@cleanmarine.org to request a review. For new certifications, three reviewers are required. Subsequent reviews every 5 years, only two reviewers are necessary.

5. It has become tradition that the facility being reviewed will provide lunch for the review team.

6. The CMP secretary will send you an invoice for the cost of the review whether you pass or not.

7. Once payment is received your flag, burgee, decals and certificate will be mailed to you

8, After the review process, keep a running list of Clean Marine improvements made to your facility during the next 5 years. This will give you time to improve your score for the re-certification, which is mandatory every 5 years.

9. Pledge to volunteer to work with others as a mentor to help them get ready for their reviews. The mentoring process is easy and fun, and it gives you a chance to observe other facilities and brainstorm, which benefits all boatyards.

10. Every 5 years you will be sent a copy of your last original score sheet. This score sheet will help you prepare for your re-certification. During preparation, be sure to fill out the comment section for each Best Management Practice showing where that specific requirement can be found in your paperwork. (Example): Under comments, write the document and page number it can be found. This is very helpful and speeds up the review process.

11. The Clean Marine administrator will assign the appropriate reviewers to do the re-certification on a date that works both of you. Recertification uses the latest scoresheets as obtained from the website.

Additional Environmental Subjects

Boater Education:

Boater Education is a most important and successful part of the Clean Marine program. Getting educational materials into the hands of your boatyard clients is important. Having the materials available through new boater bags which contain these educational materials has proven most successful. Posting information on bulletin boards, writing best management practice tips in newsletters and flyers as well as conducting seminars have shown positive results. The most successful part of the education of boatyard clients is the enforcement of the boatyard rules and regulations which insures that BMPs are being followed.

Education to the General Public:

All of the educational information contained in the Clean Marine Program is available to the general public through the program's website: cleanmarina.org.

Score Sheets:

The score sheets used by Clean Marine.org are intended to be living documents. As the program evolves and as regulations change, the methods used to evaluate a boatyard's performance will need to be revised.

Those elements of boatyard operations that are mandatory under Federal, State, City or Port regulations will be scored under the expectation that one hundred percent compliance is required. Other elements of boatyard operations will be scored with the expectation that seventy-five percent compliance is expected. The target of 75% is derived because various components of each of the scoring elements will not be applicable to every boatyard. Thus, boatyards will not be able to score 100% on Additional elements in some areas.

The target rate of seventy-five percent was chosen based upon similar programs that are operational around the United States. As the program matures, this target may be revised upward so that it conforms to actual results observed after boatyard reviews are completed.

Because the score sheets are a living documents they must be retained before and after a boatyard's designation to serve as a record of the efforts to achieve designation and to keep the designation current. Good faith effort is demonstrated by active and continual progress in achieving the criteria of the Clean Marine Program.

Emergencies

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A number of situations may occur in a boatyard that requires immediate response. Calling 911 may be appropriate in some instances, but additional staff response is also called for in nearly every emergency situation. Without pre-planning, important steps can be overlooked and without a quick reference guide, the best of intentions may not produce the best actions for solving the occasional, but intense problem.

Boatyard Best Management Practices

Have a current and updated map of important shut off valves.

Keep a list of up-to-date Emergency Phone Numbers.

Ongoing Staff Training - Acquaint all employees with the contents of the emergency procedures and responsibilities for each situation as designed by the EAP.

Boater Best Management Practices

Keep a serviced fire extinguisher available.

Ensure engines and fluids are cooled before working to avoid burns.

Keep work area clear of oil and debris.

Provide continuous ventilation.

Score Sheet - Page 1: Emergencies

Petroleum Containment

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Fuel can be easily spilled into surface waters from the fuel tank air vent while fueling a boat, and oil can be easily discharged during bilge pumping. Gasoline spills can be a safety problem because of gasoline's flammability. Hydrocarbons are dangerous to aquatic plants and animals both at and below the water surface.

It is, therefore, necessary to minimize the amount of fuel and oil from boat bilges and fuel tank air vents entering marina and surface waters.

Vessels 26 feet and longer are required to display a U.S. Coast Guard oily waste discharge placard. Clean Water Act, Section 311 10.

Boatyard Best Management Practices:

1. Promote the installation and 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.

2. Encourage all employees to disallow the fueling of vessels on the premises except at approved fuel stations.

3. Initiate an absorbent pad exchange program in which slip holders can exchange used pads for new ones.

4. Insert a clause in the lboatyard's agreements requesting boaters use oil-absorbing materials in their bilges.

5. Prohibit the use of detergents and emulsifiers on fuel spills.

6. Provide a collection site for used oily absorbents, used oil, oil filters (and any other petroleum products) when applicable.

Boater Best Management Practices:

1. Fill fuel containers on land to reduce the chance of fuel spills into the water.

2. Avoid overfilling fuel tanks by leaving the tank 5 to 10% empty or use a catch device for the overfill discharge from fuel tank.

3. Perform all major engine maintenance away from surface water. Any maintenance work on engine must be done in compliance with rules and regulations governing the boatyard.

4. Avoid fueling boats from portable fuel containers while in the boatyard.

5. Use petroleum absorption pads while fueling to catch splash back and the last drops when the nozzle is transferred back from the boat to the fuel dock.

6. Keep engines properly maintained for efficient fuel consumption, clean exhaust, and fuel economy. Follow all manufacturer's specifications.

7. Routinely check for engine fuel leaks and use a drip pan or absorbent pads under engines.

8. Do not pump any bilge water that is oily or has a sheen on it. Use materials that either capture or digest oil in bilges. Examine these materials frequently and replace as necessary.

9. Exchange used oil absorption pads if possible, or dispose of them in accordance with petroleum disposal guidelines.

10. Report oil and fuel spills to the marina office and the U.S. Coast Guard National Response Center 800.424.8802 and Office of Emergency Services in your jurisdiction immediately.

Score Sheet - Page 2: Petroleum Containment

Topside Boat Maintenance and Cleaning

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Use of solvents, paints and varnishes for in-slip boat maintenance can contribute to pollution entering the water. The best way to protect the water is to perform only small maintenance jobs in the slip. Use of a variety of boat cleaners, such as detergents, teak cleaners and fiberglass polishers can also contribute to pollution and nutrients entering the water and should be discouraged and minimized.

Encourage marinas and yacht clubs that have maintenance areas, to educate the boaters of these locations, to prevent wash off going back into the facilities waters and to make sure that sanding is done in an area that traps any material from entering the water as well.

If the facility has a designated maintenance area, display signs with rules to prevent wash off of contaminants into the boatyard's waters, including the requirement to clean up any debris on a daily basis.

Ensure that paint drippings, sanding and paint chips are collected immediately and disposed of in a manner consistent with state policy.

Boater Best Management Practices:

1. Tackle boat projects in the water only if they involve less than 25% of the surface above water line.

2. Drape vessel with tarps to catch wastes from projects.

3. Cover the water between boat and dock with visqueen or tarps.

4. Use a dust-containment bag with sanding equipment.

5. Sweep or vacuum all residual sanding dust and put in the trash. If varnish dust is not a hazardous waste it can be disposed of in facility trash receptacle. If the residual sanding dust is hazardous, then it must be disposed of in the proper manner such as in a Hazardous Waste Disposal Site.

6. Plug scuppers to contain dust and debris.

7. Ventilate your space to prevent the accumulation of flammable or noxious fumes.

8. Use eye protection and a respirator when there is the possibility that dust and debris could damage eyes or lungs.

9. Remove oil, debris and clutter from your immediate work area.

10. Keep oil absorbents handy.

11. Do not sand with steel wool.

12. Do not sand in a heavy breeze.

13. Avoid spills in the water of all solvents, paints and varnishes. Keep all open containers of liquids (e.g. paints, solvents, fuel) that could spill to the water, scuppers or storm drains in secondary containment. Unattended open containers of these types of liquids should be prohibited.

14. Use environmentally friendly cleaning products. Carefully read labels to ensure the products are phosphate free and non toxic. Use products in moderation, since more of the cleaner product does not automatically mean the topside is cleaner.

18. Avoid cleaners that contain ammonia, lye, sodium hypochlorite, chlorine or petroleum distillates.

19. Consider allowing teak to fade to gray and rinse it occasionally with salt water to remove the dirt; or, for the look of freshly sanded teak, scrub teak decks with salt water and let the sun bleach them.

20. Use teak cleaners sparingly and avoid spilling them or fiberglass polishers in the water.

Score Sheet - Page 3: Topside Boat Maintenance and Cleaning

Boat Hull Cleaning

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Consideration should be given to using bottom paints that do not pollute our environment. Frequent underwater hull cleaning can enhance vessel performance and protect it from the elements such as marine growth and corrosion. Underwater hull cleaning should be guided by BMPs that will clean a vessel in such a way as to protect and preserve the bottom while causing minimal impact to the environment.

Most vessel bottom paints contain copper (CU). Copper will leach into the water. This leaching may be toxic to marine organisms. Aggressive hull cleaning methods may cause increased copper released into facility's waters. Make sure your hull cleaner follows the label and recommendations provided by the paint manufacturers.

Boats can carry invasive species on the hull, in bilges, bait tanks and seawater systems. Aquatic species such as, Quagga and Zebra Mussels can harm native marine life, damage structures and shorelines, clog water lines and are very hard to control. We encourage boatyards to educate their staff to the crucial role in preventing and detecting aquatic invasive species. They also need to educate boaters on why it is important through the use of simple steps to avoid spreading these aquatic invaders. The key messages are: Inspect, Remove, Dispose and Report any Invasive Species.

Boatyard Best Management Practices

1. Use of nontoxic and legal hull paints to reduce the possibility of contamination when performing hull cleaning.

2. Properly functioning anti-fouling paint will repel all hard growth and requires only occasional light wiping with a soft cloth to remove slime. Aggressive cleaning of anti-fouling paint using tools such as scrubbing pads and powered rotary brushes will shorten the effective life of the paint significantly, and should never be used. Aggressive cleaning of this nature increases the amount of copper entering the water column and sediment. The boat should be hauled and recoated with fresh anti-fouling paint before this style of cleaning is ever required.

3. Remember:

NO Scrapers (metal/plastic/wood).

NO Abrasives (sandpaper/cleanser/soft scrub).

NO Scotchbrite®/3M® pads.

NO Powered Rotary Brushes.

USE soft cloth or fleece mitt only.

Boater Best Management Practices:

1. Ensure hull paint is properly applied and maintained to protect the hull from fouling organisms and thus improve the boat's performance.

2. Wait 90 days after applying new bottom paint before underwater cleaning.

3. Schedule regular hull cleaning and maintenance to reduce the build-up of hard marine growth and eliminate the need for hard scrubbing.

4. Regularly scheduled gentle cleaning will also increase the effectiveness of the antifouling hull paint and extend its useful life.

5. Use Underwater Hull Cleaners Best Management Practices. Ask your service to monitor the work of the divers that they hire or subcontract to ensure they are using BMPs.

6. Repair paint bonding problems at haul out to avoid further chipping and flaking of paint in the water.

7. Use, or ask your diver to use, non-abrasive scrubbing agents, soft sponges or pieces of carpet to reduce the sloughing of paint and debris.

8. Boaters are encouraged to use boat hull cleaning companies and individuals that practice environmentally friendly methods.

9. Encourage divers to use different types of pads when necessary to properly maintain a vessel's bottom paint (example: In many cases surfaces close to the waterline are more susceptible to higher growth rates therefore you need to use different pads in order to properly remove marine growth and corrosion. Likewise, a softer pad can be used for the rest of the vessel to maximize hull performance and optimize the lifespan of the paint.)

10. Boater should notify hull boatyard as to what type of bottom paint was used and when the bottom was last painted.

11. Invasive Species

12. Boats can carry invasive species on the hull, in bilges, bait tanks and seawater systems. Aquatic species such as, Quagga and Zebra Mussels can harm native marine life, damage structures and shorelines, clog water lines and are very hard to control. We encourage boatyards to educate their staff to the crucial role in preventing and detecting aquatic invasive species. They also need to educate boaters on why it is important through the use of simple steps to avoid spreading these aquatic invaders. They key messages are; Inspect, Remove, Dispose and Report any Invasive Species.

13. To prevent the spread of Quagga and Zebra Mussels, download and provide copies of the aquatic invasive species best management practices for boaters to your staff and tenants. The website is: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/invasives/quaggamussel. For additional information and regional contacts, go to http://ucanr.org/sites/coast/Quagga_Mussel_Invasion/.

Score Sheet - Page 4: Underwater Boat Hull Cleaning

Boatyard Debris

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Proper waste handling and disposal are an integral part of the good housekeeping practices that must be implemented at all boatyards. Waste should be managed in designated areas that are covered where feasible and/or designed to limit run-on and runoff and/or be located away from the storm water conveyance system. Wastes should also be stored in covered, leak-proof containers.

Boatyard Best Management Practices:

1. Require immediate cleanup of spills of chemicals, pesticides, fertilizers and soils.

2. All potted plants must be placed in secondary containment trays.

3. Use trays for all potted plants set on the docks to prevent fertilizer from entering the waterways.

4.Mixing fertilizers and potting of plants on land, not on the dock.

5. Ensure pets are not permitted to run free within the baotyard.

6. Use dry methods of cleaning parking areas, especially where deposits have accumulated, with sand or other acceptable material, and then swept up.

Boatyard Best Management Practices:

1. Prevent overboard disposal by returning all refuge to shore for disposal.

3. Encourage the use of recyclable materials and use of non-Styrofoam, non toxic, biodegradable or reusable cups, plates, silverware to minimize the amount of debris that ends up in waterways.