06-04-2012, 12:00 PM
GUIDELINES TO MINIMISE OIL SPILL AND EMISSIONS FROM FUEL EVAPORATION
minimiseFuelSpillandFuelemissions.pdf (Size: 170.76 KB / Downloads: 37)
Introduction:
As stated in the ICOMIA Sustainable Boating Strategy document, a main objective of the organisation is
to establish ‘environmental care’ as a core value of the recreational boating industry. This implies the
industry is committed to minimize possible harm to the environment.
Businesses as well as individuals are responsible for complying with environmental regulations and for
preventing pollution of air, land and water. To avoid being driven by legislation, it is important for the
industry to be proactive by self-regulating.
Although the consequences of spill of oil and fuel, and emissions from fuel evaporation from recreational
craft may be minimal in comparison with similar spills caused by for instance ships and ship wrecks
leaking e.g. large amounts of crude oil, it is important the boat industry is demonstrating a high level of
environment responsibility.
Legislation, standards and regulations:
Australia:
In March 2003 the Transport SA, Marine Group, issued the “Refuelling Guidelines” as part of their
“Protecting Our Coastal Waters” campaign “Doing it better”. In Australia diffusion through hoses and
containers is regarded as being minute compared with careless handling and spillage from for instance
worn hoses. Thus the said document is concentrating on the process of refuelling, stating for example that
“Only when refuelling on shore is not possible should over-water refuelling be considered an option.”
The document gives recommendations to be followed before refuelling, during refuelling and after
refuelling while focussing as much on safety as on environmental issues specifying
How can industry contribute to minimise fuel evaporation?
Fuel evaporation is far greater for petrol than for diesel oil (in the USA neither EPA nor California have
plans to regulate evaporate emissions from diesel fuel systems). According to a recent study carried out
by TNO (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research), as far as recreational craft are
concerned evaporation is equivalent to between 12% and 20% of the average exhaust emission of hydro
carbons (HC). This ratio will increase dramatically as a result of on-going development programs which
will bring average HC exhaust emissions down from 24.6 kgs per annum per boat to 3.0 kgs per annum,
while average figures related to evaporation remains at a level of between 3 and 5 kgs per annum.
How can industry contribute to minimise oil and fuel spill from the bilges?
Contaminated water should never be discharged into any watercourse. Consequently recreational craft
must be designed and laid out to make sure such discharge is avoided.
Particular attention must be paid to checking that bilge water which might contain for instance lubricants,
oil spill, cooling water and leak water from propeller shafts etc. is collected to be delivered to dedicated
treatment facilities on shore. Detergents or emulsifiers must not be used in bilge water.
When automatic bilge pumps are fitted where the water may be contaminated, it is important the water be
pumped into a special holding tank or container and not over board. Oil absorbent pads may be provided.
The industry must provide relevant information to the boat owners and boat users to make sure
contaminated bilge water is properly taken care of.
V. What can marinas and pump stations do to minimise oil spill and fuel evaporation?
Marinas and pump stations must be aware of the following main reasons for fuel and oil being spilt and
take all possible measures to avoid such spill:
• Fuel and oil-based products may be spilt during delivery or when store tanks are filled;
• Fuel and oils may be spilt because of storage tank leaks, because they are not properly
maintained, because they are not correctly bunded, or because they are vandalised;
• Fuel and oils may be spilt because of being kept in poorly designed tanks;
• Oil separators may not be properly used and/or maintained;
• Used oil may simply be poured into drains.
Conclusion:
For the time being no legislation is in force to prevent or minimise emissions from fuel evaporation.
Nevertheless, in 2003 Australian Transport SA issued their refuelling guidelines as mentioned in section
II. In Europe the EU RCD is giving directions for the design of fuel systems and requirements for fuel
hoses, and in the USA specific standards are being worked out to be implemented during the period 2009-
2013.