Polite Beach Antifouling Question

[GordMay]

Your [fstbttms] statement that: “In-water hull cleaning is not illegal in any U.S. state”, could be, just as easily, mistaken to mean there are no restrictions on in-water hull cleaning [in USA].
Clearly, there are some restrictions, in some jurisdictions; and other universal “best practices”, that would inform the [constrained] practice.

[Cheyne]

It is like saying it is illegal to drive in Washington, but what they really mean it is illegal to drive over the speedlimit and you will get a ticket if you do exceed the speedlimit. Saying it is blanket illegal to drive would be incorrect.

[thinwater]

This post by Fastbottms seems to say cleaning on a grid is illegal in WA:


https://forums.sailboatowners.com/th.../#post-1752215


The reference is this: https://pugetsoundkeeper.org/wp-cont...ters-Guide.pdf


Don't Do It On the Grid! It is illegal to wash, sand, scrape or paint a boat on a tide grid, or while beached on the intertidal zone. Spilling toxic chemicals, cleaners and solvents in this sensitive area is very damaging. Limit tide grid work to zinc, through-hull, prop work or minor repairs.

I'm in MD. I'm don't have code link, but marinas have been fined and I am certain locals would trow rocks. And there is no tide to speak of.


Every state has a general clause in the CWA forbidding discharge of toxic pollutants. It would just depend on the enforcement mentality.

[senormechanico]

Originally Posted by Sailing55

In water cleaning, scraping of ablative soft antifouling paint is illegal in Wa. State.

Yep, and thanks to the RATS and touchy feely crowd, COPPER paint is going away in Wa as well.


GRRRRR

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by senormechanico

...COPPER paint is going away in Wa as well.

That is not written in stone by any means.

[senormechanico]

Why are we studying antifouling boat paints?



In 2011, Washington adopted the Antifouling Paints Law to gradually phase out copper-based antifouling paint. As part of the law, we agreed to study antifouling paints and how they affect marine organisms and water quality. We studied peer-reviewed science on antifouling paints and their hazards. These reviews showed that non-copper antifouling ingredients might be more environmentally harmful than copper. As a result, the law phasing out copper paints was postponed.
Learn more about our studies:

• 2017: Report to the Legislature on Non-Copper Antifouling Paints for Recreational Vessels in Washington
• 2019: Antifouling Paints in Washington State Report and Recommendations

While copper is the most common toxic chemical that antifouling boat paints release into the water, our studies also looked at other non-copper ingredients currently on the market, including:

• Zinc pyrithione
• Irgarol (cybutryne) (banned as of 2023)
• Sea-Nine (DCOIT)
• ECONEA (tralopyril)

There are also non-biocidal options available, such as boat washes, sonic cleaning systems, liner systems, and drive-in dry docks. However, some options are not readily available, and we do not know the performance and tradeoffs of these options yet.
What is the future of copper antifouling paint?

If we find safer alternatives that are feasible, reasonable, and readily available by June 30, 2024, Washington law will restrict the use of most copper-based antifouling paints beginning Jan. 1, 2026.
If we do not find safer and effective alternatives by then, the ban will not take effect. We will then continue to study scientific literature and submit a new report by June 30, 2029.
We are currently working with Washington State University to conduct performance testing on a variety of antifouling paints to better understand how they work in Washington's waters.
https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/...ng-boat-paints

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by senormechanico

Why are we studying antifouling boat paints?



In 2011, Washington adopted the Antifouling Paints Law to gradually phase out copper-based antifouling paint. As part of the law, we agreed to study antifouling paints and how they affect marine organisms and water quality. We studied peer-reviewed science on antifouling paints and their hazards. These reviews showed that non-copper antifouling ingredients might be more environmentally harmful than copper. As a result, the law phasing out copper paints was postponed.
Learn more about our studies:

• 2017: Report to the Legislature on Non-Copper Antifouling Paints for Recreational Vessels in Washington
• 2019: Antifouling Paints in Washington State Report and Recommendations

While copper is the most common toxic chemical that antifouling boat paints release into the water, our studies also looked at other non-copper ingredients currently on the market, including:

• Zinc pyrithione
• Irgarol (cybutryne) (banned as of 2023)
• Sea-Nine (DCOIT)
• ECONEA (tralopyril)

There are also non-biocidal options available, such as boat washes, sonic cleaning systems, liner systems, and drive-in dry docks. However, some options are not readily available, and we do not know the performance and tradeoffs of these options yet.
What is the future of copper antifouling paint?

If we find safer alternatives that are feasible, reasonable, and readily available by June 30, 2024, Washington law will restrict the use of most copper-based antifouling paints beginning Jan. 1, 2026.
If we do not find safer and effective alternatives by then, the ban will not take effect. We will then continue to study scientific literature and submit a new report by June 30, 2029.
We are currently working with Washington State University to conduct performance testing on a variety of antifouling paints to better understand how they work in Washington's waters.
https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/...ng-boat-paints

"If we do not find safer and effective alternatives by then, the ban will not take effect."

Like I said, a ban on copper is not written in stone. Thanks for proving my point.

[thinwater]

I just finished a 2-year test of a bunch of paints in the Chesapeake.


Some of the multi-season traditional favorites did well (Trinidad, for example). They leach slowly or they would not last. One of the copper-free paints did well (TB Krypton), so I painted with that.



I believe the no-copper buzz is going to die, and that perhaps the EPA is going to adopt the California leaching rate standard. Nearly all paints re-formulated to meet it, so it is a defacto US standard at this time.


I believe this is basically yesterdays news. The EPA, CA, and WA have moved on to other concerns.

[seacap]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

There you go.

Some places it’s illegal. Please refer to follow source https://ecology.wa.gov/getattachment/9f9f5b86-865a-431c-9254-1216cf5bba49/HULLflyer.pdf

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by seacap

Some places it’s illegal.

We've been down this road already. It is not illegal to clean boat bottoms in Washington. It is however, illegal to clean boats that use ablative or sloughing paints. The sign illustration you provided says as much about both contingencies.

[Little John]

This discussion is, sorry, without brain. You can be a responsible person and
spend money for correct work including waste disposal. Or an egoist moneysaver. A yachtsman should love the world he is living in and take care of it. For me the answer is easy.

[s/v Jedi]

Still waiting for citations that it is illegal to paint your boat on a tide grid in Maine. The government expert must have returned the calls and silence can only mean that it is indeed allowed. This also means a thread was closed based on misinformation.

Maybe it’s better to first check before making claims that upset things.

[GordMay]

Boat Bottom Wash Water
Antifouling Paint Contaminated Wash Water
➥ https://www.maine.gov/dep/water/wd/a...%20profile.pdf

Originally Posted by DEP

”... The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has recently issued a waste discharge general permit to regulate the discharge of boat bottom wash water (antifouling paint contaminated wash water) to the surface waters of the state. A similar general permit for discharges to groundwater is forthcoming.
The general permit requires boatyards and marinas to collect and treat all antifouling paint contaminated wash water before it can be discharged to the surface water ...”

"Absence of Evidence does not mean Evidence of Absence” ~ by Dr Carl Sagan

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

Still waiting for citations that it is illegal to paint your boat on a tide grid in Maine. The government expert must have returned the calls and silence can only mean that it is indeed allowed. This also means a thread was closed based on misinformation.

Maybe it’s better to first check before making claims that upset things.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by GordMay

Boat Bottom Wash Water
Antifouling Paint Contaminated Wash Water
➥ https://www.maine.gov/dep/water/wd/a...%20profile.pdf

"Absence of Evidence does not mean Evidence of Absence” ~ by Dr Carl Sagan

Yes, this is the case in Florida as well. But while boatyards must collect it, divers are still allowed in-water cleaning and of course painting by private owner is always allowed. Of course he can’t throw leftovers or consumables in the water but that’s stuff for just arguing because nobody does that.

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by Little John

This discussion is, sorry, without brain.

LJ, I quite agree as does the rest of the world

How did they land a man on the moon?