FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 9,
2001
DEP Encourages Boaters To Protect Themselves, The
Environment
TALLAHASSEE
-- We are now in
the midst of the rainy season and the Florida Department of
Environmental Protection’s Division of Law Enforcement takes
this opportunity to remind you of the threats this presents to
moored recreational vessels. If you own a boat and keep it in the
water, you should act to protect your property and prevent oil
spills. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
What can
be done to prevent a fuel release or a vessel from sinking?
- Check the bilge pump,
make sure it's working properly and that there are no
blockages,
- Check the battery;
make sure it's fully charged, and check it again after a
couple days of rain,
- Be sure there are no
fuel line leaks that could be pumped over board, and
- Be sure your vessel
insurance is up to date.
What
should be done if there is a spill or if a vessel sinks?
- For sunken vessels,
immediately have the vessel raised (this is mostly going to
involve hiring a salvage company, which can be costly),
- Secure the source of
the spill (e.g. if there’s fuel in the vessels bilge, turn
off the pump),
- If it is a large fuel
spill, an environmental contractor may need to be hired to
conduct the cleanup,
- If the release
involves gasoline, eliminate any ignition sources,
- If fuel is in the
bilge, have all the fuel/water mixture recovered and properly
disposed,
- Make State and Federal
notification (Federal law requires notification for any amount
of oil that causes a visible sheen), and
- First and foremost, if
the release has a potential to endanger life or property
notify the local fire department.
Other
interesting information....
- The failure to notify
of an oil discharge can result in a $1,000.00 penalty,
- The U. S. Coast Guard
can also issue a citation for the release with penalties
starting at $50.00.
- In severe cases of
flagrant disregard, criminal charges are possible.
- There were
approximately 381 reported coastal fuel spills for the
southeast Florida area in 2000 (not including the Florida
Keys)
If there
is an environmental emergency or to report a fuel spill call:
State Warning Point (800)
320-0519
National Response Center (800) 424-8802
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