7 Ways to Lower Your Boat’s Carbon Footprint
Boat water engine Usa
Photo by Aubrey Odom Mabey
Boating provides an effective way to connect with nature, have fun with family and friends, exercise, and escape the pressure of your everyday life.
However, boating can cause water pollution and a large carbon footprint from burning fuel from the engines. According to a U.S Environmental Protection Agency report, boating can result in high toxicity in water, more erosion, increased concentration of pollutants in aquatic organisms, eutrophication, and increased pathogen levels, but this doesn’t have to be the case if you boat sustainably.
Read on for seven ways to reduce your boat’s carbon footprint and boat sustainably.
1.Check the winds and tides
Be sure to download the weather or tide app on your phone to monitor the tides and winds before heading out. This helps you avoid motoring into strong winds or against the surges as this necessitates more engine power, leading to more energy consumption and increased carbon emissions.
2.Ensure routine boat maintenance
Scheduling regular boat maintenance with a professional does not only keep your boat in top condition and extend its lifespan. A well-maintained boat also has fewer issues, such as engine leaks that could endanger marine life. Maintaining your boat also improves fuel efficiency, reducing the boat’s carbon footprint. You can also invest in Aerial Wakeboarding towers during boat maintenance to increase your boat’s value and enhance your boating experience.
3.Change your boat’s fuel type
If your boat uses petroleum diesel, you should consider switching to biodiesel to lower your boat’s impact on the environment. Made from animal fats, waste vegetable oil, algae, or seed oils, biodiesel is an excellent fuel alternative because it burns cleaner with lower air emissions and reduces smoke, soot, and carbon dioxide emissions. Investing in biodiesel can also minimize greenhouse gas emissions. In case of spillage, biodiesel is also less toxic to underwater ecosystems. Remember to check your engine’s warranty before a fuel change to ensure reliable performance and compliance.
4.Invest in renewable energy
Be sure to invest in renewable energy, including solar panels and water or wind generators, to keep batteries charged at the dock or mooring on the trailer or while underway during long-distance journeys. This helps you reduce energy costs and the boat's environmental impact.
5.Spill-proof your boat against leaks
Inspect your vessel’s fuel tanks and lines for holes and cracks and fix them promptly to prevent spills. You should also invest in absorbent spill kits to enable you to catch drips on time. When fueling your boat's tank, ensure that you do it slowly and be keen not to overfill it. If you spill fuel or oil when refueling, use an absorbent material to clean up.
6.Offset your vessel’s carbon footprint
Investing in carbon offsets is an excellent strategy to compensate for your boat's carbon monoxide emissions. For instance, you could identify areas damaged by boat anchors and propellers and replant seagrass.
7.Avoid idling the engine
Do not charge the batteries and other electrical components by idling to avoid burning more fuel and harming the environment. Idling can also damage the engine.
Endnote
Sustainable boating is critical to protecting underwater ecosystems and enjoyable boating experiences. Check the tides and winds, ensure regular boat maintenance, change your fuel type, use renewable energy, spill-proof your boat against leaks, avoid idling, and offset your carbon footprint to protect the environment and save on fuel costs.
Sea Going Green is a sustainable tourism consultancy working with clients in the marine tourism industry to measure and lower their environmental footprint with their custom “Green Transition Strategies”.
Want to lower your boat's environmental footprint? Let's strategize.