The Clean Marine program is a partnership of private marina owners, government marina operators and yacht clubs. It was developed to provide clean facilities to the boating community and protect waterways from pollution through compliance with best management practices. The Morro Bay Yacht Club is committed to following the best management practices outlined by the Clean Marine program.
All Boaters should follow some basic rules when working and playing on or around the water. Below is a brief guideline of things that should be done to protect the water and obey the law.
ANY MAJOR BOAT REPAIR/REPAINTING OR CLEANING PROJECT SHOULD BE DONE IN A BOAT YARD.
When absolutely necessary to work on a boat in or near the water, the following best management practices should be used:
- Place tarps between the boat and dock to catch waste from any work.
- Use a dust containment bag with sanding equipment.
- Plug scuppers to contain dust & debris.
- Ventilate work space to prevent accumulation of flammable or noxious fumes.
- Sweep/vacuum all residual dust and debris and put it in the trash.
- Do not sand with steel wool.
- Use acceptable cleaning products that are phosphate free and biodegradable.
- Do NOT use cleaners containing ammonia, lye, sodium hypochlorite, chlorine or petroleum distillates.
- Schedule regular hull cleaning to reduce build up of hard marine growth and eliminate the need for hard scrubbing.
- Use nontoxic and legal hull paint and insure the paint is applied properly—wait 90 days after applying bottom paint before any underwater cleaning.
- Use absorbent materials to clean up spills of any sort—DO NOT RINSE THE SPILL INTO THE WATER.
- Properly dispose of any waste and material.
FUELING:
Do not to overfill your fuel tank. Wipe any overflow with a rag or oil absorbent pad; do not hose it into the water. If you do spill fuel or oil into the water, do not disperse it with detergent or soap! Report any spill that is large or discolors the surface of the water, to the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802 or to the U.S. Coast Guard or Harbor Office on VHF channel 16. Failure to do so is illegal and can result in civil penalties and/or criminal sanctions.
DISCHARGE OF SEWAGE IN THE WATERS OF MORRO BAY IS PROHIBITED.
Vessel pump-out facilities are located at:
South T-Pier
Morro Bay Marina
Morro Bay Yacht Club
Tidelands Park Dock
TRASH:
Stow all loose items, plastic bags, drink cans, and other articles properly so they do not blow overboard. Never discard garbage overboard. It is illegal to dispose of plastic, or garbage mixed with plastic, into any U.S. waters.
WASTE OIL/HAZARDOUS WASTE DISPOSAL:
The Harbor Department has a waste oil recycling facility and can take waste oil, oil filters and oil absorbent pads. There is an oil absorbent pad exchange program: bring in used absorbent pads and receive clean ones in exchange. Other hazardous material can be disposed of at the City’s Household Hazardous Waste facility at 160 Atascadero Road, open Saturdays 11 am-3 pm. Paints, solvents, acids, caustics and batteries are accepted. There is a limit of 15 gallons or 125 pounds per trip. Contact the Harbor Patrol if you have any questions.
USEFUL LINKS
ABCs of California Boating – https://www.dbw.ca.gov/?page_id=28731
Clean Marine Program – https://cleanmarina.org/