Did you know?
- Topside and antifouling paints and varnish including used brushes, rollers and trays are now classified as hazardous waste
- Anti-fouling paints work by releasing toxic chemicals into the water. They are regulated as pesticides.
- Copper biocides in anti-fouling are toxic to water fleas, dragonfly and fish larvae, and cause contamination to be passed up the food chain
Advice
- The key is to prevent anti-fouling from unnecessarily entering the water. Skirt the hull and use a tarpaulin. Don’t leave a coloured patch under your boat!
- Dust from sanding paint and antifouling coatings is toxic. Using a dustless vacuum sander will also protect your heath.
- If you use scrubbing piles, only scrub off the fouling and not residue paint – be careful not to let old or new paint enter the water.
- Select a marina, club or boatyard which has a ‘scrub-off’ facility which collects residues and wash down.
- Select the right type of antifouling for your area and boat usage – take advice from your chandlery. Use water-based paints where possible, or low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds).
- Look into environmentally friendly bottom paints, such as vinyl, silicone or Teflon, which are suitable for in-water hull cleaning systems.
- Apply the right amount of antifouling required and do not spill it – when applying use a sheet to collect drips.
Useful information
Find out rules and regulations from The Environment Agency: www.environment-agency.gov.uk [1]
Read about the potential effects of antifouling in the marine environment at www.ukmarinesac.org.uk/activities/recreation/r03_03.htm [2]