Happy Spring Nantucket! Each week we will share with you our top tip for boating and recreating safely on our harbor waters. Follow along in Instagram and Facebook and be sure to Save the Date for our 2021 State of the Harbor Forum on July 20, 2021 for a special presentation about Clean Boating and Healthy Harbor Use!
Join us weekly for a new tip here on the webpage and on social media (@nantucketlandcouncil)!
Tip #1: Spring cleaning the green way: As an alternative to harsh chemical cleaners, mix one cup white vinegar with two gallons water. This serves as an all-purpose scrubbing solution for those pesky fish scales or common spills on deck.
Tip #2: Environmentally friendly paint for your boat’s topsides: All boats need protection from the harsh elements of the marine environment. Paint is the most common and most effective protectant for your wooden topsides, but not all are created equal! Choose a topside paint that is latex or water-based. Not only are water-based paints less harmful to our harbors, but they also can be cleaned up with water instead of toxic paint thinner.
Tip #3: Use environmentally friendly bottom paint: If you keep your boat in the water for extended periods, such as at mooring or in a slip, you need some sort of “antifouling” paint. This specially formulated group of paints is designed to keep marine life from growing on your hull, which can cause handling issues and decrease boat performance if left unchecked. Ask your marina for water-based and solvent-free formulas of antifouling paint, which will lessen your boat’s impact on our harbors.
Tip #4: Keep your bottom clean! Periodically scrub your hull beneath the waterline to keep marine growth like barnacles and algae to a minimum. This will help your boat’s fuel economy and handling- and burning less fuel saves your wallet as well as the environment!
Tip #5: Keep your engine well-tuned! Routine maintenance is critical for your boat’s motor. A clean, well lubricated engine is more reliable and fuel efficient, making for safer boating and cleaner harbors. Motor maintenance should be performed on a regular schedule, which varies based on engine model and year. If you do the maintenance yourself, be sure to use solvent-free cleaners and dispose of oil, fuel and filters properly. Nantucket’s DPW holds regular “Hazardous waste days” where you can dispose of your chemicals FOR FREE! The schedule can be found here: https://www.nantucket-ma.gov/243/Hazardous-Waste.
Tip #6: Obey the “No Wake” Zones! Nantucket’s shores are fragile. Made up of sandy beaches, coastal banks, dune fields, creeks and marshes, the shores of certain areas of Nantucket’s harbors are susceptible to erosion. Do your part to protect our environment and infrastructure on Nantucket by obeying “No Wake” zones and lessening coastal erosion!
Tip #7: Anchor responsibly! Nantucket Harbor is home to sensitive eelgrass meadows which sustain our harbor’s ecosystem, including our prized Bay Scallops. When visiting Nantucket with your boat, utilize one of the many transient moorings available for you, or tie up at a slip on the Town pier. More info on these options and many other boater amenities may be found here http://www.nantucketmoorings.com/ and here https://www.nantucket-ma.gov/141/Harbor-Master. If you must anchor, avoid the marked “no anchor” zones and use proper ground tackle, sized to your boat, to keep from dragging, scouring, and otherwise harming the benthic habitat of Nantucket Harbor.
Tip #8: Don’t dump trash into the harbor! Common waste such as plastic bags, fishing line, and many chemicals are harmful to our harbors and marine life. The Town of Nantucket has complimentary facilities such as dumpsters and bathrooms available at the Town pier for disposal of waste. Help us keep our harbor clean this summer!
Tip #9: Keep gray and blackwater out of our harbors this year! The Harbormaster offers FREE pump-out services for boaters in-season. USE IT! Not only does black water contain human waste and bacteria, but it can also contain other cleaners, deodorants, and chemicals harmful to marine life. Gray water is often harmful as well- even soaps labelled as “environmentally-friendly” are harmful to our harbor in high concentrations, especially is multiple boats are discharging. For more information on free pump-out service, contact the Nantucket Harbormaster, Sheila Lucey over your radio or the phone, or simply head over to the Harbormaster’s office at the Town Pier.
Tip #10: Be sure to properly dispose of your bilge water! As the lowest place in your boat’s hull, the bilge tends to collect all sorts of nasty chemicals such as solvents, oil and fuel. Don’t dump bilge water into our harbor! Have it pumped out at a marina or into a safe container for later, proper disposal.