How Simple Absorbents Help Marinas Comply With Federal Regulations
There are many marine facilities operating in the USA today. Millions of people use the waterways daily for recreational and commercial activities. It is estimated that marine recreational activities contributes more than US $30 billion to the US economy each year, while supporting nearly 300,000 jobs in the manufacturing, retail, and service sectors.
This industry includes marinas, boatyards, marine retailers, recreational and commercial vehicles. Clean water is an essential resource for this industry. Without clean water this multi-billion dollar industry will cease to exist.
Marinas and boating enthusiasts often use various levels of preventive equipment and products to keep the waters safe and avoid costly spills. Oil absorbents pads are one way to contain oil spills on the water. This simple product can be used for environmental spill cleanup and remediation purposes by marinas and boaters.
There are economic benefits realized by marina managers who implement preventative safety measures. Products that improve the efficiency of these operations are in high demand. Boatyards and marinas are in constant need of bilge containment products.
The marinas as well as boatyards generate special wastes such as bilge water, used oil, used oil filters. Other contaminated materials include old gasoline, hazardous wastes such as acetone, paint and washing solvents. These industries are required to use products that are environmentally safe and specifically designed to contain and manage oil spills.
The products that are used to contain the spills also must be managed and disposed of in a prescribed manner. The methods of this type of disposal is outlined in Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations Parts 260-268 (see Hazardous Waste Management, page 39)
To help boaters, marinas and boatyards comply with the various pollution control and water safety regulations; spill control materials and special containers for emergency clean up are available from commercial suppliers.
The choices for these types of containers include flexible-sidewall portable spill containment berms that are the easiest to use. This flexible sidewall equipment can provide an affordable hazardous material storage unit. Berms provide incidental spill control during temporary storage of drums, machine parts, tanks and generators. Berms can also be used in other capacities as a wash down pad or pumping station.
A mobile storage or spill containment unit is always the preferred choice. A mobile unit is a cost as an alternative to hard plastic pallets. The hard plastic pallets need to be moved by a forklift. These pallets are always bulky and take up valuable space. Portable spill containment berms eliminates the need for bulky hard plastic pallets.
Marina Owners should always provide a spill contingency plan that list the specific products required to operate their facilities in the safest manner possible. The second element of the spill contingency plan is training of employees who will respond to the spill.
This plan is always required to be in written form and updated on a yearly basis. The plan can be updated more frequently if required. This spill containment plan is part of a total safety quality control plan. The marina/boatyard’s fueling contingency plan provides a list of products and procedures to handle incidental spills quickly and safely. Products that are EPA sanctioned are always the best defense against uncontrolled spills that could harm the safety of our waterways.