What are the environmental impacts of the boat yard industry?
Boatyards play a crucial role in the maritime industry but they also have a significant impact on the environment.
Without adequate pollution controls, pollutants from pressure washing, sanding, painting, and other maintenance activities are released. These pollutants include heavy metals, fiberglass, and detergents and can harm marine life, pollute waterways, and even affect human health if ingested.
Today many boatyards in Sweden often lack asphalt due to their age, as stated by boatyard worker Ebba Lind. This presents a problem when boat owners attempt to work on their boats in the marina without proper knowledge, as there is a risk of spillage of substances like oil, anti-fouling paint, or glycol. Such spills can in the worst case end up in stormwater wells and spread throughout the system, leading to costly clean-up efforts.
What are the environmental impacts of anti-fouling paint?
Anti-fouling paint is of significant concern as it contains high levels of copper and zinc. Even at low concentrations, copper and zinc are toxic to several aquatic organisms and contribute to the formation of toxic hot spots near ship maintenance facilities, marinas, and boatyards. For example it has been found that copper affects the olfactory system of salmon species, which reduces their chances of survival and reproduction.
Anti-fouling paint no longer contains tributyltin (TBT) which before were used in the most effective anti-fouling paints. However, studies have shown that these compounds still exist in the water, harming the environment and potentially entering the food chain. TBT has been shown to cause deformities in oysters and changes in the sex of whelks.
One reason why TBT is still found in our waters may be a lack of knowledge and the conservatism that exists, says Ebba Lind at Ringens varv Marstrand. The boating industry is still dominated by the older generation who want to do as they have always done and not change old habits. Many people therefore still paint with anti-fouling paint containing TBT even though it is not permitted.
