PPG14 - Marinas and Craft

It is an offence to cause pollution of controlled waters, either deliberately or accidentally

Controlled waters include all watercourses, canals, most lakes and reservoirs, estuaries, lochs and coastal watersout to three miles (surface waters) and water contained in underground strata (groundwaters). Diesel, oil and petroleum spirit, sewage and contaminated bilge water can all cause pollution if discharged into controlled waters.

Section 2. Fuels and Oil states;

• Keep a stock of absorbent material (e.g. sand, earth or commercial products) near to facilities where oil is used, stored and dispensed to contain and remove any spillage that occurs (either directly into the water or onto the ground).
• Ensure craft owners and staff know how to use this equipment. If a spill occurs, take immediate action to contain the oil and, where possible, prevent it entering any drains or watercourses.
• Where oil has been spilt into surface waters, use booms and absorbent materials that float on water and only absorb oils to contain the spill. These need to be secured to prevent them breaking free from the site of the spill and releasing the polluting material.

Section 3. Boat hull cleaning states

Isolate drainage from all vessel cleaning and maintenance areas from surface water drainage systems and do not allow it to drain directly to controlled waters.  

Section 4. Fuel and oil facilities at marinas states;

b. i. Fuel dispensing
Provide oil absorbent materials suitable for use in water near to the dispensing area for use in case of spillage. All fuel dispensing should be supervised by staff trained in safe dispensing procedures and the use of the absorbent materials.

Section 7. Fuels and oils on board craft states;

A small quantity of oil absorbent material should be kept on the craft at all times for use in the event of a spill. Used oil absorbents should be disposed of properly at approved facilities at marinas, lock stations or local authority waste disposal sites.

a. i. Refuelling
Fill fixed fuel tanks carefully adjacent to the fuel supply facility, ensuring that no fuel is discharged over the side or into any part of the vessel. Leave some free space in the tank to avoid spillage during the nor mal motion of the vessel. Clean up any spills using a suitable absorbent.

b. i. ii. Onboard oil care
Provide a drip tray under inboard engines and gearboxes, or provide oil-tight structural members fore and aft of the engine to prevent contamination of the bilge.

It is an offence to discharge contaminated bilge water into any watercourse. Before any routine pumping of bilge water from a vessel, the bilge should be checked for any contaminants. If bilge water should become contaminated, it should either be pumped to suitable facilities ashore or absorbents should be used. Oil absorbent pads can be placed in the bilge to absorb any oil that may be present. These should be replaced frequently and used absorbents disposed of in accordance with relevant legislation (see Section 9). Do not use detergents or emulsifiers in bilge water

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