Fueling, Oil, and
Other Petroleum Products

The following best management practices regarding fueling, oil, and other petroleum hydrocarbons are available for review:

Spill Protection and Recovery... Disposal
Source Control/Reduction... Education

Objectives:

Purpose:

Provide recreational boating facility managers with suggested practices that can be easily applied to abate pollution from hydrocarbons.

Discussion:

Small amounts of fuel, oil, and other petroleum hydrocarbons introduced into the marine environment are a chronic problem. This incremental pollution, a little here, some there, adds up to hundreds of thousands of gallons every year (Olsson et al, 1994). In Rhode Island alone, over 1,000 minor spills have been reported to the captain of port in the last five years (Coast Guard, 1994). This figure may only reflect a small percentage of the total number of spills, because only a fraction of all the small spills ever get reported (Jewell, 1994). This problem is not limited only to boating activities. Storm drains often carry oil that is washed off impervious surfaces or is illegally dumped into them. Rain flow and snow melt can lift oils up and carry them across paved parking lots directly into surface waters. Once these materials enter coastal waters, they can accumulate in sediments or bioaccumulate in some aquatic species.

Some marina activities can increase the amount of fuel accidentally introduced to the environment. Generally, fueling operations have the greatest potential of contributing to this problem. Another activity is the repair and maintenance of engines where oil is removed from the crankcase and not disposed of properly. One common, but often overlooked, threat is the possibility of sinking of a vessel stored in marina. A moderately sized power boat can carry hundreds of gallons of fuel and at least some oil which, if not contained, will be freed into the environment. In many cases, particularly small gasoline spills from fueling operations, spills will dissipate in the environment rapidly. Often the greatest danger from gasoline spills is the threat of an explosion and fire. Persistent hydrocarbons like residual crankcase oil will not dissipate as rapidly but are generally easier to contain and collect.

Some marina infrastructure may also contribute to hydrocarbons in the coastal environment. Parking areas, boat ramps and other impervious surfaces are subjected to small oil spills and leaks from automobiles and other mechanized equipment. Once on the surface, oils can move into the marina environment when a carrying agent, such as water, is introduced. Other structures often found on marina sites also pose potential concerns, particularly containment facilities for fuel and oil. These should all be considered, in addition to the more obvious concerns, when evaluating marina activities that contribute to incremental oil pollution.

Federal regulation has tighten in recent years in regards to oil spill response and recovery. Currently, any sheen upon the navigable waters of the United States must be reported to the Coast Guard. New regulations prohibit the use of dispersants on oil spills without the permission of a Coast Guard on-scene coordinator. The policies and procedures for recovering expenses incurred for removal costs and damages have been clarified. In certain cases, removal costs incurred by any person for acts taken during an oil spill response may be recovered.

In this changing climate, any facility that handles or stores fuel should act to minimize potential dangers. This chapter suggests practices that can be implemented at marina facilities to prevent oil spills and put mechanisms in place that will improve the recovery process from an accident. In addition to the management practices, a model oil spill response plan is provided in Appendix A of the hard copy document. This model can be used to develop the facility's own response plan. When augmented with additional best management practices, marinas will ensure they have taken the proper steps to minimize this nonpoint source pollution concern.