Proposal to Ban Dumping Sewage from Boats into Lake Erie

 The EPA Announces Public Comment Period

 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has tentatively determined that there are adequate facilities around Lake Erie for boats to pump out their sewage, allowing the establishment of a “no discharge zone” for 593 square miles of the lake, its tributaries and bays, and 84 miles of shoreline that comprise the New York State portion of the lake. The no discharge zone, which was proposed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, means that boats would be banned from discharging sewage into the water. Boaters would instead dispose of their sewage at specially-designed pump-out stations. This action is part of a joint EPA/New York State strategy to eliminate the discharge of sewage from boats into the state’s waterways.

"This proposal will help protect water quality and marine life in Lake Erie for years to come," said EPA Regional Administrator Judith A. Enck. "Creating a no discharge zone for the New York portions of Lake Erie is an important step in protecting this amazing water body.”

Discharges of sewage from boats can contain harmful levels of pathogens and chemicals such as formaldehyde, phenols and chlorine, which have a negative impact on water quality, pose a risk to people’s health and impair marine life. EPA is encouraging public comment on its proposed approval until January 6, 2013.

The proposed no discharge zone for the New York State portion of Lake Erie includes the waters of the lake from the Pennsylvania-New York State boundary, as well as the Upper Niagara River and numerous other tributaries, harbors and embayments of the Lake, including Barcelona Harbor, Dunkirk Harbor and the Buffalo Outer Harbor.

EPA’s tentative determination is available in the Federal Register at: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/.

Lake Erie, its harbors, bays, creeks and wetlands support fish spawning areas and habitat, commercial and recreational boating, and plethora of recreational opportunities.

For more information about no discharge zones, visit http://www.epa.gov/region02/water/ndz/index.html

To comment on the proposed EPA approval, email, fax or mail comments to Moses Chang at chang.moses@epa.gov, Fax: (212) 637-3891. Mailing address: Moses Chang, U.S. EPA Region 2, 290 Broadway, 24th Floor, New York, NY 10007-1866.

VIDEO: Hurricane Sandy Damages Over 65,000 Recreational Boats

Over $650 Million in Estimated Losses to Boats
Makes Storm Single Largest Disaster for Recreational Boats on Record

STATEN ISLAND, NY, November 14, 2012 - The nation's largest group of boaters, Boat Owner's Association of The United States (BoatUS), estimates that over 65,000 recreational boats were damaged or lost as a result of Hurricane Sandy. BoatUS also estimates that dollar damage to all recreational boats (only) is $650 million, making the late October storm the single-largest industry loss since the Association began keeping track in 1966. A video of the BoatUS Catastrophe response team on the ground in New York and New Jersey can be found at http://youtu.be/TGoCBe6ObpA.

"We are all reeling from the huge impact this storm has had on communities and people's lives," said BoatUS AVP Public Affairs Scott Croft. "We've never seen anything like it. The scope of the damage to boats is unprecedented, affecting large areas from the Atlantic seaboard as far inland as the Great Lakes, with the majority of damage in New Jersey, New York and Connecticut. The combination of boats stored ashore at low elevations and record high surge levels caused hundreds, if not thousands, of boats to float away into neighborhoods, parks and marshes. The tri-state coastline left no place for the surge to go, but up. While some boats that stayed in the slips did fine, other boats tied to floating docks simply lifted off too-short pilings and floated away - still tied to the dock. Some vessels never made it out of their slip and rest on the bottom."

The BoatUS Catastrophe Response Team reports that the marine community has rallied to gain the upper hand on the recovery process. "If there is a story to tell, it's about how the boating industry got together immediately after the storm to help each other out and get boats back in their place," said BoatUS Catastrophe Team Member Jack Hornor. While some New Jersey barrier islands continue to restrict access delaying boat recovery efforts, some marinas, boat clubs and yards have recovered their customers' boats and put them back on blocks to undergo damage assessments. Many boating facilities, especially those on New Jersey's coast, Staten Island and western Long Island, sustained significant damage to infrastructure such as docks, workshops, clubhouses and equipment, which will likely have an impact on the 2013 boating season.

BoatUS estimates over 32,000 boats were damaged in NY, followed by New Jersey's 25,000, Connecticut's 2,500 and 6,000 remaining in various states. Dollar damage to recreational boats (only) in New York is estimated at $324 million, followed by $242 million in New Jersey and $23 million in Connecticut. Previously, in the 2005 storm season, Hurricane Wilma and Katrina damage was estimated at over $700 million combined.

As with any storm, the BoatUS Marine Insurance Program will be investigating hurricane damage prevention measures taken by boaters and possible new solutions, but one early indication is that boats tied-up to protected floating docks with tall pilings had the best chance of survival with Sandy. "However, you can't base a hurricane preparation plan on one storm. While storm surge was the biggest factor here, wind and rain can be major factors in the next one. Hindsight is only good if you look at the bigger picture," said BoatUS Director of Technical Services Bob Adriance.

One new factor that is affecting post-hurricane boat recovery efforts? Snow. BoatUS reports there is some concern in the industry that storm damaged vessels may not be winterized in time with the arrival of colder weather.

US Coast Guard provides hotline for missing, damaged vessels due to Hurricane Sandy

The United States Coast Guard  wants boat owners to contact the New York sector command center at 718-354-4120  to provide information on any missing or derelict vessels since Hurricane Sandy made landfall.

The Coast Guard does not salvage vessels but will work with boat owners to locate their vessel or provide information for commercial salvage.

Tips on Getting Salvage and Repairs Done Right

"This isn't the time to hire someone cruising the beach in a tow truck"

For many recreational boaters, getting the right salvage and repair help for a damaged boat after a hurricane is difficult. Some insurance programs like BoatUS will arrange and pay to have their insured's boats salvaged and other insurers will at least provide some assistance, but those without insurance don't have anyone to lean on. For those going it alone, Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) has some tips to find the right salvor and to help get the repairs done right. 

Stay away from the inexperienced: "The decision to hire a salvage contractor or repairer should be based on skill and experience and not on a low-ball price," said BoatUS Director of Damage Avoidance Bob Adriance. "Too often after a hurricane, fly-by-night operators come in and do more harm than good - this isn't the time to hire someone cruising the beach in a tow truck. Ask them how long they have been doing business and for references - and call them." 

Check out the BoatUS complaint database: The free online BoatUS Consumer Protection Database at www.BoatUS.com/consumerdatabase is the only source of consumer complaints and safety information reported by boat owners, the US Coast Guard, manufacturers, marine surveyors and marine technicians. Before you hire someone, check to see if they made list. 

It's the "association": There are some telltale indicators that show a business is in it for the long haul - which could ultimately be good for the consumer. One indicator is a company having professional membership in a trade association, acknowledging codes of ethics and embracing standards. Boat owners setting out for salvage and repairs can check out these websites to help find service providers in their area:

• American Boat & Yacht Council (www.abycinc.org): ABYC develops safety standards for the repair and maintenance of boats. Boat owners seeking hurricane repairs are strongly encouraged to take their business to shops that follow ABYC standards.
  
  
• C-PORT, The Conference of Professional Operators for Response Towing (www.cport.us): C-PORT, whose members include salvage and on-the-water towing companies, establishes standards for professionalism, training and good business practices.
  
  
• American Boat Builders & Repairers Association (www.abbra.org): ABBRA is the association for small boat building and repair shops dedicated to professional development, training and education.
  
  
• Local Marine Trades organizations: Many regions have marine trade associations that have members - local businesses - offering a range of services.
  

Taking Care of the Boat After the Storm

Boat Owners: What to Do After Sandy

It's barely a day since she struck the New Jersey coast with all her fury, and early reports indicate that Hurricane Sandy has caused significant damage to marinas, boat yards, boat clubs and boating infrastructure. The Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) Catastrophe Response Team, which handles the recovery operations for BoatUS marine insurance customers and is often tasked to coordinate salvage operations at local marinas, has been mobilized.

With likely hundreds of damaged, beached, or sunk boats awaiting recovery by their owners across several states, BoatUS has these tips to get the salvage process started quickly to protect and preserve the value of any boat caught in Sandy's tempest:

1. If your boat has washed ashore, remove as much equipment as possible to a safe place to protect it from looters or vandals. It's a good idea to put your contact information somewhere conspicuously on the boat - along with a "No Trespassing" sign. However, never climb in or on boats that have piled up together or dangling precariously from dock pilings or other obstructions.

2. Protect the boat from further water damage resulting from exposure to the weather. This could include covering with a tarp or boarding-up broken windows or hatches. As soon as possible, start drying the boat out, either by taking advantage of sunny weather or using electric air handlers. All wet materials such as cushions must be removed and saved for a potential insurance claim. The storm may be gone, but the clock could be ticking on mold growth.

3. Any engines and other machinery that has been submerged or has gotten wet should be "pickled" by flushing with fresh water and then filling with diesel fuel or kerosene. To learn how to pickle a boat motor, go to: www.BoatUS.com/hurricanes/pickle.asp.

4. If your boat is sunk or must be moved by a salvage company, it is not recommended that you sign any salvage or wreck removal contract without first getting approval from your insurance company.

All BoatUS insurance customers have assistance available with post-storm recovery and are urged to call the BoatUS Claims at (800) 937-1937 as soon as practical.

Putting a Boat Away for the Winter?

What You Need to Know About E-10 Gas

Nearly full tank or nearly empty tank? That is the big question facing boaters now in the midst of preparing their boats for the long winter hibernation. The concern is ethanol - an octane enhancing gasoline additive that has some unfortunate, harmful side effects on marine engines. Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) has some tips learned from fuel industry insiders on how to store a boat with E-10 gasoline (containing 10% ethanol) over the winter.

• The octane issue: Some boaters choose to leave their boat's gas tank mostly empty over the winter, and then refill in the spring in the hopes of "refreshing" the fuel to regain any octane loss. However, a nearly empty gas tank introduces a bigger problem: the strong possibility of phase separation with the E-10 gas. Incidentally, over long winter storage periods, E-10 gasoline loses octane at about the same rate as non-ethanol gasoline.
  
• The path to phase separation: Ethanol (an alcohol) can attract and absorb water - about 10 times more than regular gasoline - and still burn harmlessly through the engine. However, there comes a tipping point when the ethanol can no longer absorb the water, and the alcohol will separate out or "phase separate" from the gasoline. When this happens, the solution of water soaked ethanol will settle to the bottom of the tank, which is where the engine's fuel system pick-up is located. Can you see where we are headed with this?
  
• More water, less absorption: The problem with leaving a tank mostly empty is that it increases the tank's "lung capacity" to breath in moist air (water) through the tank's vent. If the tank is mostly empty over the winter, there will also be less E-10 gas in the tank to absorb the moisture. This combination of more water and less capacity for absorption greatly increases the chances of phase separation. Adding fresh gasoline in the spring would not remedy the problem - the phase-separated ethanol remains separated at the bottom of the tank.
  
• The Water Separator issue: E-10 can hold up to 1/2 percent of water by volume and up to that concentration the water molecules will dissolve in the gasoline forming a soluble mixture that will pass through a water separator and burn harmlessly in your engine. The only time water will collect in a tank and not be absorbed is if phase separation has occurred, and by then it will be too late. A water separator is not a solution to the phase separation problem.
  
• The Fuel Additive issue: Fuel additives are good for many reasons and should be used when laying up a boat for winter, but no additive will stand up to a good-sized slug of water. And once too much water has entered the tank and the gas has begun to phase separate, no additive will return the fuel to its original state. The only solution to phase-separated gas is to have a professional drain the tank and start anew.

The best advice for storing E-10 in your boat's gas tank over winter:
Keep the tank nearly full. This greatly reduces the volume of moist air that can enter the tank via the fuel tank vent when temperatures fluctuate in the fall and spring. With any fuel, an antioxidant (found in many additives) will help keep it fresh during lay-up. Finally, never plug up a fuel tank vent - it creates pressure that could cause dangerous leaks in the fuel system.

For more information go to www.boatus.com/seaworthy/ethanol.asp. A free, downloadable winterizing checklist is available at http://www.BoatUS.com/seaworthy/winter.

USCG Marine Safety Alert

PROBLEM WITH MUSTANG INFLATABLE PFDS

Washington, DC

The Coast Guard has become aware of certain Mustang Survival Inflatable PFDs with Hammar MA1 hydrostatic (HIT) inflation systems which may not inflate and require a new re-arm kit to properly inflate by manual or automatic activation. This safety alert identifies which products are affected. Certain inflatable PDFs may be subject to delayed or non-inflations. To determine if you are impacted please follow the instructions below.

USCG Approval                Mustang Product
N/A                                   MA7214 HIT inflatable re-arm kit
N/A                                   MA7218 HIT inflatable re-arm kit for LIFT
160.076/8611/0                 MD0450 Inflatable Vest PFD with LIFT
160.076/5204/0                 MD0451 Inflatable Vest PFD with LIFT (no harness)
160.076/5201/0                 MD3183 Deluxe Inflatable PFD with HIT
160.076/8608/0                 MD3184 Deluxe Inflatable PFD with HIT (with harness)
160.076/5300/0                 MD3188 Inflatable Work Vest/PFD with HIT
160.053/116/0                   MD3188 Inflatable Work Vest/PFD with HIT  

If you have a re-arm kit MA7214 or MA7218 you need only to check

the lot number on the CO2 cylinder label. If your CO2 cylinder is
marked with lot numbers 404121 or 404122 please contact Mustang
Survival’s customer service group at the number below.
 

If you have a PFD listed above refer to the sewn-in approval label to
determine if it was “Made in Canada” and the “MFG DATE” is April
or May 2012. If so, you will need to check the lot numbers of the
CO2 cylinder. The CO2 cylinder lot number is visible through the
yellow bladder fabric. Manually unpack your PFD by opening the
zippers and unfolding your PFD. Find the CO2 cylinder that is
attached to the round inflator within the yellow bladder. Press the
yellow bladder fabric against the cylinder to read the label to view
the lot number through the fabric. If your CO2 cylinder is marked
with lot numbers 404121 or 404122, please contact Mustang
Survival’s customer service group for instructions and to arrange for
a replacement inflator assembly.
 

All other CO2 cylinder lot numbers are satisfactory. Repack your PFD so it is ready for use per the instruction manual. Mustang Survival Customer Service Group: 1-800-526-0532

This Safety Alert is provided for informational purposes and does not relieve any foreign or domestic requirement. Developed by the Lifesaving and Fire Safety Division, United States Coast Guard Headquarters, Washington, DC. For additional information contact Mr. Martin Jackson at Martin.L.Jackson@uscg.mil
 

Additional information is available at www.mustangsurvival.com/HIT. 

Please note the following photographs.

View of lot number through fabric

Lot number on cylinder label.