It happens in every marina and to just about every boat owner at some time or another: We mess up and spill diesel or gasoline into the water around our boats. Here’s a good look at what to do when a small but significant oil spill happens from The Log in San Diego.
by Capt. Nicole Sours Larson
The knock on our hull came early one morning. A fuel slick was spreading on our dock, engulfing our boat. Were we the source of the spill?
We quickly determined our boat was not the origin. A boat three slips down the dock caused the contamination. The owner, we learned, had fueled his boat the night before and overfilled his tanks, causing diesel to leak out his overflow vent. Fortunately the marina staff – trained in spill management and cleanup – responded rapidly at first notice of the slick, promptly stopping and containing its spread.
If you do cause a spill, make calling your marina staff a priority. If you don’t know how to deal with the problem, they’ll be able to guide you. Read more.
