Protect the Environment in Which We Float at the Port of Friday Harbor

Cleaning – Many household cleaning products are lethal to marine life. Grease cutting detergents, scouring powders and bleaches are toxic to marine life. There are alternative products that are less toxic. Look for the words phosphate-free and non-toxic on the label when you buy a cleaner. Use small amounts of cleaners. A small amount is often just as effective as a large quantity. Use baking soda in place of scouring powders and use vinegar (1/4 ratio to water) for window and floor cleaning. Island water is limited. Use it carefully and only with a shut-off nozzle on a hose.

Oil and Fuel – Oil and fuel are toxic to marine life. The Port office sells oil absorbent pads at cost. We recommend keeping a supply on board to wipe up drips and spills and have them available when fueling. Do not use detergent if you spill fuel or oil. It’s better to keep it on top of the water where pads can pick it up and it can evaporate rather than dispersing it through the water column. Place pads under your engine to absorb oil drips and keep oil from your bilge. The most common type of spill in marinas comes from fuel tank leaks into the bilge which is subsequently pumped overboard. Make checking fuel tank fittings and bilge for oils part of your vessel pre-departure checks.

Good stuff you can’t use – Yankee wisdom tells us: “Repair it, re-use it and use it up.” In case you have used up good marine parts, the Port has a re-use shelter on the main pier. Parts, supplies and marine goodies that still have life in them can be left on shelves at the re-use center for others to examine and put back into use.

Trash and Recyclables – Four green dumpsters on the main pier are labeled for recyclable material only, which is clean plastic, paper, aluminum and steel cans. Clean bottles go in the bottle trailer next to the dumpsters. Trash coming from boats can be placed in separate dumpsters.

Sewage – The Port of Friday Harbor’s pump-out is on “B” float. It can handle vessels up to 60 feet in length. The porta-potty dump station is at the same location. Two self-serve portable pump-units are at the base of each ramp off of the main pier. Overboard discharge of sewage in the marina is rude and is also prohibited.

Maintenance – Check the Port’s Best Management Practices which are posted at the top of each ramp. No more than 25% of a vessel’s above water surface can be worked on in the marina. Larger projects belong in a boat yard. Plan your project so that no debris, sanding dust or spills go into the water. Use a tarp suspended between the boat and float. A small vacuum cleaner and vacuum sanders are essential equipment for refinishing work. Mix paint on a tarp or on shore. Have rags and absorbents ready. Limit open paint cans to one gallon or less.

Marine life – We share this planet with a great many creatures who live, move and have their being in the ocean and inland waters. They speak to us chiefly by thriving or dying. Please join us in helping to coexist and co-thrive. This would be a lonely place without fellow critters.