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Clean Boating
With the establishment of a sewage treatment facility for the Town of Mahone Bay in 1994, there have been dramatic improvements in the harbour’s water quality. Due to the high number of recreational boats in the harbour during the summer, there is a risk of countering these advances as a result of the direct discharge of sewage from boats.
Since BCAF has addressed issues related to the discharge of raw sewage since its inception in 1994, the Clean Boating program was viewed as a natural extension of these efforts.
History of the Project
Since 2000, BCAF has been working to promote environmentally responsible boating practices within Lunenburg County. The focus of the first year of the Clean Boating Program was to encourage environmentally responsible boating practices through an educational campaign in conjunction with the establishment of infrastructure to allow boaters to dispose of sewage waste. The first year saw the installation of the first pump-out facility in Mahone Bay, the first of its kind on mainland Nova Scotia. The program’s second year focused on building relationships with marinas, yacht clubs, and boatyards in the region. A widespread educational campaign was carried out targeting all yacht clubs, marinas, and marine vendors from western Halifax Regional Municipality to Liverpool. Marine vendors and contractors were invited to partner with BCAF to offer discounts to boaters who wished to install holding tanks on their boats. During 2002 and 2003, the educational campaign continued with a focus on the establishment of additional pump-out facilities in Bridgewater and Lunenburg, respectively. With focused boater and public awareness campaigns occurring over the three years of the project, a logical next step was to look towards the possibility of regulation.
Proposed Regulations for Boating Sewage
Proposed amendments to the Pleasure Craft Sewage Pollution Prevention Regulations of the Canada Shipping Act prohibit the discharge of raw sewage from all vessels within the 12 mile limit. Sewage would have to be treated to a maximum allowable of 250 faecal coliforms per 100 ml. This means that all boats with toilets would require some type of marine sanitation device (MSD), which includes holding tanks. This amended Canada Shipping Act is due to be proclaimed in 2006.
For more information on the proposed regulations visit these links:
http://www.tc.gc.ca
http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
http://www.cmac-ccmc.gc.ca
Maritime Clean Boating Guide
There are several ‘green’ boating guides available in Canada, but none are tailored to the East Coast. BCAF has recently published the Maritime Clean Boating Guide. This 30 page full colour booklet covers a variety of topics including maintenance and repair, managing sewage wastes, proper fuelling techniques, winterizing, and special considerations for small craft. Contact BCAF for a free copy, or download a pdf copy now ...
New Pump-out for Chester!
Through boater surveys and contact with the boating community, Chester has been identified as an area of high boating traffic in need of a pump-out facility. BCAF is working with the Chester Municipality to establish another pump-out facility in the village. The Chester pump-out should be up and running for the 2004 boating season.
Current South Shore Pump-out Locations ...
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This map of the Maritimes pump-out locations can also be found on pg 15 of the Maritime Clean Boating Guide...
Clean Boating Links
Canada
Barra Strait Marina
Best Management Practices for Marinas and Lessons Learned
Bluenose Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons
Bras d'Or Lake No-Discharge Designation
Canada Shipping Act -Pleasure Craft Sewage Pollution Prevention Regulations
Canadian Coast Guard
Environment Canada
Georgia Strait Alliance
Maine Pump-out Stations
New Brunswick Pump-out Stations
Ontario Marine Operators Association
Pump-out Facilities in the Maritimes (pdf file supplied)
Tourism Industry of Nova Scotia Green Boating Program
USA
Installation Tips for Holding Tanks
National Clean Boating Campaign
Retrofitting Your Boat to Install a Holding Tank?
U.S. Coast Guard Marine Sanitation Devices
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