Well the weather outside is frightful…Actually it’s not all that bad out, but when it gets too cold to be out on the boat, the weather outside is frightful.  Fall is upon us and Old Man Winter can’t be far behind, which means that for the next 6 months boating will be but a fond memory.  So, what is there to do until she’s back in the water? Glad you asked.  Here are some suggestions to wile away those cold boatless days of winter.

Grab a book and read about the sea.  Buy the latest Clive Cussler novel. You know, the one where ocean adventurer Dirk Pitt and his latest beautiful girl friend struggle against the forces of evil aided only by the vast resources of the National Underwater and Marine Agency. Actually that could be any Clive Cussler novel so take your pick.  If Dirk and his fancy gadgets don’t interest you then try a classic. A few hours reading about the exploits of Horatio Hornblower or wading through “2 Years Before the Mast” should help quench your thirst for the sea.

Not into reading? Then pop some corn, snuggle down in front of the tube and watch …

There are regulations in place which ban disposing of untreated sewage in harbours, within 500 metres of the shore and within 200 metres of a marine reserve. Most of the marinas and regional councils provide information for visiting boaties on the rules and expectations. Maritime NZ also have information on discharge standards.

Hold it – We’re Cleaning Up the Coast published by MfE and Maritime NZ says, the most important thing is “how well the water body, which the sewage is being discharged into, can flush itself”. This is influenced tides, wave action, currents, salinity and temperature of the water. In other words, where you choose to dump sewage from a boat is critical.

The closer the discharge point is to shore, the closer it is to where people are swimming and gathering shellfish as well as marine farms and important ecological areas. In these areas boat sewage poses potential environmental and public health issues.

The Ministry for the Environment (MfE) and Maritime NZ have produced a Guidebook to help boaties chose the best system for their boating requirements.

Discharging Sewage From a Boat

Apparently liquid waste is not a serious problem. Most urine is sterile and therefore little risk …

Invasive species of aquatic plants and animals enter the U.S. daily without detection. They come from Europe, Asia and South America; stowed away deep in the bilges of large seagoing vessels. Once they arrive at U.S. ports they quickly invade to turn native aquatic plants and animals into endangered species. They cost billions in damage to commercial and recreational industries. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officially calls them aquatic nuisance species (ANS) and considers their threat so ominous, an ANS task force of hundreds of federal, state, and municipal agencies has been mobilized to stop alien species by adding new steps to clean boating practices. A new form of border control helps water recreation enthusiasts clean up their act to avoid spreading ANS infestations.

Alien Species are Sinister Stowaways

Aquatic invasive species have stowed away to U.S. shores on ships from around the world since the 1800s and have now spread to over 40 states. As large merchant and cruise ships dock in U.S. harbors for refueling purposes, they drain bilge tanks, used to maintain a vessel’s stability as fuel is expended. Bilge water containing aquatic species from foreign countries is deposited into freshwater harbors, like that of the …