Best Customer Practices

Pollution Prevention Practices

Dear Captain,

There’s nothing better for recreational boating than clean water and a clean environment. We support a clean environment and have taken steps over the years to operate the marina in a clean and responsible manner.

The federal Clean Water Act and the Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments of 1990 (CZARA) require economically achievable measures to control the addition of pollutants to our waters. In New Jersey these measures have been defined under the provisions of the New Jersey Discharge Elimination System (NJPdes).

All marinas and businesses on or near the water are required to comply with the provisions of the law. The marina is required to develop a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan and a list of Best Management Practices.

In addition, each boat owner must be made aware of the Best Customer Practices. Enclosed is a copy of the Best Customer Practices that the marina had developed. Please read this carefully and make a copy for your records. If you have questions about the BCP or any of the Pollution Prevention Practices, please call our office.

We believe that the Pollution Prevention Practices all make good sense, and that 90% of the boat owners here are already in compliance with 90% of the Practices. For the most part, good housekeeping is the key idea. Prevent pollution at the source. Make your best effort to keep harmful substances from hitting the ground or going into the water.

Please pay particular attention to the clean sanding and painting practices. Remember we recycle anti-freeze. When you start up in the spring, contain your anti-freeze, and take it to our recycling container. We are also a dust free sanding marina. Please stop into the service department to reserve a sander.

I want to thank you in advance for your cooperation and positive actions to preserve and improve the environment.

Sincerely,

G. WINTER’S SAILING CENTER, INC.

Introduction

G. Winter’s Sailing Center, Inc. subscribes to and enforces stormwater pollution prevention procedures under the provisions of the New Jersey Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NJPDES). In return for the privilege of performing work on a boat at this facility such as hull cleaning, washing, sanding, scraping and/or painting; bottom cleaning, sanding, scraping and/or painting; opening the hull for any reason (e.g., installation of equipment or engine work); engine and/or sterndrive maintenance, repair, painting, etc., it is the owner’s responsibility to comply with, as a minimum, the following pollution prevention practices. This list may not be complete so you must exercise common sense and judgment in your actions to insure that your activities will not produce or deposit pollution residues which can come into contact with stormwater and be conveyed into the surface waters. Please be aware that you may elect to arrange through the marina to perform potential pollution activities on your behalf in which case the responsibility for compliance with the NJPDES is entirely theirs.

A. Repairs and Service (engine & hull; painting, cleaning, washing, sanding, scraping, etc.)

1. Work on hulls and engines only in designated areas or use portable containment enclosures with approval of marina management.
2. Use tarps and vacuums to collect solid wastes produced by cleaning and repair operations—particularly bottom cleaning, sanding, scraping and painting.
3. Capture debris from boat washing and use only phosphate free and biodegradable cleaners and solvents.
4. Use drip pans for any oil transfers, grease operations, and when servicing I/O’s and outboard motors.
5. Obtain management approval before commencing any repair which will open the hull; clean and pump bilges free of contaminated materials with proper collection and disposal before and after repairs.

B. Fuel Operations

1. Install fuel/air separators on fuel tank vent lines to prevent overflow of fuel through vent.
2. Keep petroleum absorbent pads readily available to boat fuel fill to catch or contain minor spills and drips during fueling.
3. DO NOT carry fuel in the yard. Fuel boat directly from fuel dock.

C. General Housekeeping

1. Walk leashed pets in specified areas and dispose of wastes, double bagged, in dumpster.

D. Waste Management

1. Use marina restroom facilities when at slip.
2. Bag regular trash and dispose of in provided dumpsters.
3. Separate recyclables and place in receptacles provided by marina.
4. Marina will dispose of used batteries place by recycle area.
5. Use marina pump out and potty dump facilities.
6. Follow proper disposal procedures:
   • Oil soaked materials: drain liquid and dispose of in proper waste container; double bag absorbent material and dispose of in regular trash.
   • Absorbent materials used on flammable liquid waste: drain and dispose of liquid waste; air dry absorbent material, double bag and dispose of in regular trash.
   • Oil filters: Drain in waste oil disposal drum and place in drum provided for filter disposal.
   • Non-toxic residue of sanding, scraping & grinding: double bag and dispose of in regular trash.
   • Toxic and non-environmentally safe solvent, cleaning liquids and residue: consult with management for proper disposal.
7. Maintain absorbent pads in bilges, inspect bilges frequently, dispose of properly.
8. Use only non-toxic antifreeze.
9. Recycle oil and diesel properly. Use marina used oil collection tank.
10. Do not discharge bilge water overboard if there is a sheen to it. Collect and dispose properly.
11. Use only environmentally compatible products in holding tank or port- a-pot.

E. Discharge of Hazardous Material

The discharge of hazardous material is seriously forbidden by Federal and State environmental regulations. Toxic residue, which includes fuels and paints cannot be allowed in the water or on the soil of the marina. Any discharge must be promptly acted upon and reported to proper authorities by the person causing such discharge or by anyone observing the discharge. Improper handling or reporting of a discharge of hazardous material is a criminal offense and subject to heavy fines and possible imprisonment. (33C.F.R.153.203).

F. Education

1. If not known, inquire of marina management for proper disposal, maintenance and pollution prevention procedures.
2. Alert marina on pollution casualties that need action by its Response Team and proper reporting.