Oil and Fuel
The majority of oil pollution in our rivers and oceans comes from ever-present sources like refuelling, engine emissions and oil leaks.
You can help by taking a few simples steps:
Check whether your bilge water is clean before you pump out. If it has an oily film on it, take steps to clean it up, or use a pump-out station.
If you have a persistent problem, get an engineer out to find the source of the leak. Inserting an absorbent pad under your engine can help you locate the general area of the leak.
Leaks are made worse if there is a constant ingress of water into your boat, for instance through a leaky stern gland. This is particularly true if you have an automatic bilge, as you could be constantly discharging low levels of hydro-carbons.
When you fuel up, leave room in the tank for fuel expansion. ‘Topping off’ can cause fuel to run out of the vents. Don’t wait until you see this to check whether your tank is full! Most chandleries sell simple whistles that you can insert in the vent, which will give you an audible warning that the tank is full.
Sir Peter Blake
"Having vision is not enough. Change comes through realising the vision and turning it into a reality. It is easy to espouse worthy goals, values and policies; the hard part is implementation."
Learn about Sir Peter Blake and his journeys around the globe