Polite Beach Antifouling Question

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

The government expert must have returned the calls and silence can only mean that it is indeed allowed.

In fact, I have not recieved the promised phone call, so assume what you like about my silence.

[TeddyDiver]

I thought that the idea of ablative paint was to, well, ablate.. thus eliminating the need to scrape it. Never used it so can't tell

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by TeddyDiver

I thought that the idea of ablative paint was to, well, ablate.. thus eliminating the need to scrape it. Never used it so can't tell

Ablative paints need cleaning every bit as often as any other kind of paint.

[TeddyDiver]

Originally Posted by fstbttms

Ablative paints need cleaning every bit as often as any other kind of paint.

That's when the boat just sits in it's berth but reckon what most boats do.. This is however cruiserforum and boats are supposedly used for sailing, right?

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by TeddyDiver

I thought that the idea of ablative paint was to, well, ablate.. thus eliminating the need to scrape it. Never used it so can't tell

WE don't scrape our ablative paint and only give a mild mid season gentle wash before the annual summer cruise. Using the boat during the season does help to keep any fouling to a minimum, as does using a good quality paint in the first place.

We do give the hull a good wash on the drying grid before lifting out, or if we are pushed for time, antifoul on the grid as well. Normally takes two tides, one to clean and one to paint.

Pete

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by TeddyDiver

That's when the boat just sits in it's berth but reckon what most boats do.

I've been maintaining ablative paints for 30 years. I've yet to find one that doesn't need regular cleaning no matter how often or far the boat it's on is sailed. And like you said, you've never used it, so I'm not sure how you would know.

[TeddyDiver]

Originally Posted by fstbttms

I've been maintaining ablative paints for 30 years. I've yet to find one that doesn't need regular cleaning no matter how often or far the boat it's on is sailed. And like you said, you've never used it, so I'm not sure how you would know.

Well that's the main claim used with ablatives to avoid cleaning, so not true obviously.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

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.

Had you read the linked advisory, you’d have found that the Maine DEP addressed DIY boat owners:

Originally Posted by DEP

“... How do boat owners comply with the laws if they launch and haul their own boat? ...
... The boat owner should be sure to collect any of the paint chips and dust for proper disposal in the household trash.
If the boat is heavily fouled, contacting a local boatyard or marina that has a collection and treatment
system installed and
... Boaters should avoid scrubbing or cleaning their boat’s bottom while in the water, doing so can result in discharges of pollutants similar to bottom wash water...”

For more information, on boat bottom wash water, treatment systems,
permitting, and clean boating, contact:
Pam Parker: (207) 287-7905
Email: pamela.d.parker@maine.gov
Or, visit the Maine Department of Environmental Protection website
➥http://www.state.me.us/dep/blwq/topic/boat/index.htm

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by GordMay

Had you read the linked advisory, you’d have found that the Maine DEP addressed DIY boat owners:

For more information, on boat bottom wash water, treatment systems,
permitting, and clean boating, contact:
Pam Parker: (207) 287-7905
Email: pamela.d.parker@maine.gov
Or, visit the Maine Department of Environmental Protection website
➥http://www.state.me.us/dep/blwq/topic/boat/index.htm

Yep, so fully allowed to paint the bottom

[s/v Jedi]

And apparently careening is still practice today.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/6Bk9F7Zh0FU

[fstbttms]

Both of you are intentionally avoiding the question. The question is; in Maine, is it legal to careen on a public beach and prep and paint your hull? The links that GordMay provided do not address this. They specifically refer to hauling and launching the boat and were obviously written with trailerable boats in mind or some other method of getting the boat on the hard for DIY work. They DO NOT refer to doing this work being done while the boat is within the intertidal zone of a shoreline, either on a grid or lying in the sand/mud between high tides.

As for Jedi's link, obviously careening is still practiced. But a video of a boat in some unknown location isn't proof that it's legal in Maine, or even in whatever place the video was shot.

As for my part, I will contact the Maine DEP again tomorrow to try to get a definitive answer.

Edit: The video of the careened boat was shot on the ICW in North Carolina