Dawn Dish Soap in the Bilge?

[sabray]

Don't disagree there was a lot if question when they were dumping dispersant. Problem is that the oil sheen also stops the sun from penetrating the surface. So its a compromise between the 2 tactics

[Cheechako]

So if i shower in my boat and the shower goes to the bilge... or i wash my dishes and it goes to the sea....am I guilty of dispersant?
Uh oh........ next we know the EPA will allow ONLY Ivory products! (soap based)

[sabray]

To disperse oil it says to disperse oil. Suggests intent yes?

[IdoraKeeper]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

So if i shower in my boat and the shower goes to the bilge... or i wash my dishes and it goes to the sea....am I guilty of dispersant?
Uh oh........ next we know the EPA will allow ONLY Ivory products! (soap based)

Best excuse not to shower I have heard yet. I will try it and see what happens.

[bahamarich]

Is the intent to clean the bilge the easiest way or to emulate the worst of the oil industry.

[sabray]

If it you can't figure out that you probably are having a hard time with other colregs.
It means ohh **** their is oil on the water caused by me I will disperse it by putting something that disperses it.

[pbiJim]

Originally Posted by sabray

To disperse oil it says to disperse oil. Suggests intent yes?

So, if I have a little olive oil on my salad plate when I wash it & the sink drain goes to the bilge.....

Seriously though, do we have any documented history on how this potential $25k fine has been applied to the cruising community?

I remember that several years ago in Edgartown, the Mass. DEP guys used to watch the fuel dock like a hawk & were just itching to stick it to somebody. I seem to remember that at Newfound Lake in NH, they have always had a zero tolerance policy. I haven't seen enforcement that aggressive in other places.

Has anybody else seen aggressive enforcement against small accidental spills?

[sabray]

Yep your screwed big fine

[barnakiel]

In our boat the bilge is dry. If any dirt gets in, I first remove as much as I can with towels and wipes. Then I wash the area with hot water and detergent and pump it all overboard EXCEPT we are holding a bucket under the bilge pump thru hull.

b.

[pbiJim]

I see that Defender now sells an "eco" bilge cleaner that "can be used in fresh or salt water". They're a little thin on specifics.

Sudbury Eco Bilge Cleaner

I also see that they still sell the "automatic bilge cleaner" that I had been familiar with in the past but haven't seen on store shelves in years. That one specifically says that it "Dissolves, emulsifies and combines grease, oil and scum with bilge water" but does not say what you are supposed to do with it after it all mixes together.

It would appear to me that the classic bilge cleaner is a definite no-go for pumping overboard, but the eco version needs more research.

[Cheechako]

In our boat the bilge is dry. If any dirt gets in, I first remove as much as I can with towels and wipes. Then I wash the area with hot water and detergent and pump it all overboard EXCEPT we are holding a bucket under the bilge pumpthru hull.

b.
Then you dump the bucket over..... right? :>)

[S/V Illusion]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

I beg to differ when it comes to detergent. (most dish "soaps" are detergent not soap). The detergent loosens and breaks up the oils so they can be pumped out. Otherwise when I wash my hair, or my dishes, you would be indicating that none of the oils are going down the drain!

Look up dispersant and sinking agent. Mutually exclusive things. What happens with detergents such as you mention is that it breaks the surface tension allowing oil to emulsify in the water.

[sabray]

And then the oil sinks or magically disappears and isn't in the environment any more. Thats why both are illegal to use for this purpose in the US.

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by zboss

I am also struggling with the oil issue. We have a huge deep bilge under the engine, which is very difficult to clean, and a leaky engine. They make floating oil booms:

MDR Oilzorb Bilge Mini Boom

You just float one of these in your bilge at all times. It does a great job of absorbing oil but not water.

Sometimes an old-fashioned (string) mop-head on an adjustable mop handle (Shur-flo, WM, etc.) can get into places you'd not otherwise be able to easily reach. Mop, wring, mop, wring, mop, wring, etc. As long as you collect any oil or oily sediment/residue and properly dispose of that...

Once really clean, assuming no oil or fuel leaks from machinery (or from the oil-change or filter-change process). it's much easier to keep it clean. And issues are much easier to spot early.

-Chris

[Tony B]

Why do people think that BP was 'allowed' to dump that oil in the gulf or that they got away with it?

I believe the fine was $20 Billion with a "B" and rising. It was Haliburton and Transocean that pretty much got away with it.