Why is it important to clean a boat before taking it from one lake to another?

Why is it important to clean a boat before taking it from one lake to another?

Clean Boats, Clean Waters program prevents spread of aquatic invasive species. However, when boaters go from one lake to another they significantly increase the risk of transporting harmful invasive species – which is why Clean Boats, Clean Waters volunteers are so vital.

How do you clean a dry boat drain?

Clean Drain Dry

  1. CLEAN off visible aquatic plants, animals, and mud from all equipment before leaving water access.
  2. DRAIN watercraft bilge, livewell, motor and other water containing devices before leaving water access.
  3. DRY everything for at least five days OR wipe with a towel before reuse.

How do you clean an invasive species boat?

CLEAN off visible aquatic plants, animals, and mud from watercraft, motor, trailer, and equipment before leaving water access. Scrub hull using a stiff brush. Rinse watercraft, trailer, and equipment with high pressure hot water when possible. Flush motor according to owner’s manual.

What is good for cleaning your vessel and does not harm?

Wash your boat frequently with a sponge and plain water to avoid the buildup that calls for harsh cleaners. Use phosphate-free, biodegradable and non-toxic cleaners. Though much less harmful, these cleaners can still cause damage to local aquatic life and should be used only on land when possible.

What is the problem with using your boats engine?

Using a boat’s engine to drive it onto a trailer to fully load it is not an acceptable practice. Using the boat’s engine to load onto the trailer is dangerous to your equipment and the people around the loading area. It also erodes the material at the end of the ramp which leads to its deterioration.

Are you responsible for any environmental damage caused by your fuel spill?

By law, any oil or fuel spill that leaves a sheen on the water must be reported to the U.S. Coast Guard at 1-800-424-8802. You are responsible for any environmental damage caused by your fuel spill. These products can cause the petroleum to sink into the water, causing more harm to marine animals and bottom sediments.

How do you clean zebra mussels on a boat?

Boats and equipment may be pressure washed to remove veligers and juvenile zebra mussels. Biologists who have studied zebra mussels recommend using high-pressure hot water to remove and kill zebra mussels that are attached to your boat hull (use water >104 degrees F if possible).

What are boat operators responsible for?

The vessel operator is responsible for acting in a prudent and reasonable manner consistent with the ordinary practices of boating.

  • Stay active.
  • Stay alert.
  • Respect the weather, the water, your passengers, fellow boaters, divers, swimmers, and property owners.

What minimum distance must be maintained?

Do not approach within 100 yards and slow to minimum speed within 500 yards of any U.S. Naval vessel. If you need to pass within 100 yards of a U.S. Naval vessel for safe passage, you must contact the U.S. Naval vessel or the USCG escort vessel on VHF-FM channel 16. Observe and avoid all security zones.

What is the fastest way to remove water from a boat?

Pumps and buckets are always a great way to pitch water out of your boat. But the easiest trick in the book to remove water from your boat is to drive it down the lake. If your boat has a drain plug and a smooth working engine then I recommend that you drive down a safe stretch of water and then pull the drain plug.

Can a boat sink from rain?

A boat can sink from rain if it has scupper (drains) clogged with dirt blocking the rainwater in the vessel to escape and a weak bilge unable to pump out the incoming rainwater at the same pace. Still, bad weather & heavy rains can quickly fill the boat with water even if the bilge & drains do well.