Oil/chemical pollution
Know about oil and chemicals
Some boat operators, deliberately or accidentally, discharge oil and chemicals into our waterways. Most of the oil and chemicals in our waterways come from refuelling, boat maintenance and bilge discharges. Oil and chemicals can be toxic to marine and human life.
It is in everyone's interest to protect our waterways from pollution. All boat operators need to use and dispose of onboard oil and chemicals correctly and safely.
Here are some suggestions on how to avoid accidental pollution.
Chemicals on board your boat
Oil products on boats include:
- petrol
- gear box oil
- motor oil
- two-stroke oil
- diesel
- hydraulic oil.
Chemical products on boats include: - cooling system additives
- cleaning agents
- degreasers
- acid and paints.
All of these products are pollutants that harm the environment.
Clean bilges help reduce pollution. Use absorbents to mop up excess oil or fuel, wash your bilge with biodegradable degreasers or detergents and dispose of any cleaning residue ashore.
If oil does spill into the water, use absorbents to mop it up and report the incident to Maritime Safety Queensland. Do not use dispersants or other cleaning chemicals because they can increase the toxic effects of oil spills.
How to handle oil and chemicals
Boat operators need to help reduce oil and chemicals entering our waterways. Here are some tips to help:
- when refuelling insert the nozzle into the filler before starting the pump. Likewise always turn the pump off and ensure that the flow of fuel has stopped before removing the nozzle
- always check the capacity of fuel tanks before refuelling
- watch the breathers for signs of "blow-back" or overflow
- do not overfill your fuel tank
- always supervise the operation of bilge pumps to ensure only water is being pumped into waterways
- revise the installation of your bilge pump's float switch to stop oil accidentally discharging with bilge water
- if you use degreasers or detergents, including biodegradable products to clean your bilge, make sure the residue is not discharged through the bilge
- use absorbents to clean waste oil from your bilge
- repair oil and fuel leaks when first noticed
- for everyday deck scrubbing use clean water and only use chemicals for severe staining
- read the product information before you decide on any chemical cleaner. If it is toxic to humans, it is not good for marine life either.
- use phosphate free biodegradable detergents
- carry absorbent material onboard to clean up any accidental spills.
If you accidentally discharge oil or chemicals into the water, let the regional harbour master, marina operator or port authority know, so that it may be cleaned up.
Pollution is an offence
Whether your boat is large or small, it is an offence to deliberately discharge oil or chemicals into Queensland's coastal waters. Under the Transport Operations (Marine Pollution) Act 1995 severe penalties apply.
Maximum penalties are:
- A$262,500 for an individual
- A$1,312,500 for a corporation.
Everyone can help protect the marine environment by reporting pollution incidents to their local regional harbour master's office or port authority.
Reporting marine pollution
Contact your local Maritime Safety Queensland office.
Last updated 24 April 2008
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