Washington State Copper Paint Law

[Ironhorse74]

Originally Posted by S/V Illusion

How dare anyone attempt to make even a small effort to further eliminate contaminants from our water. Lets' all return to the days of indiscriminate dumping of waste, colored waterways, bacteria infested estuaries and toxic waste dumps. Left to our own devices, we can destroy what is left of this planet much quicker.

Sarcasm aside, copper is toxic particularly to marine organisms and no one who values our environment should be so uninformed as many here appear to be.

So if copper is so toxic, why is Queen Christine only banning it from recreational boats under 65 feet? Is it because recreational boat owners over 65 feet make large donations to her reelection fund? It would seem to me there is a lot more copper paint on a vessel over 65 feet. How about commercial vessels?

The whole thing makes no sense.

Brad

[S/V Illusion]

Originally Posted by Ironhorse74

So if copper is so toxic, why is Queen Christine only banning it from recreational boats under 65 feet? Is it because recreational boat owners over 65 feet make large donations to her reelection fund? It would seem to me there is a lot more copper paint on a vessel over 65 feet. How about commercial vessels?

The whole thing makes no sense.

Brad

Yea, that's it! Everybody is corrupt. Paranoia aside, do you want to know the reason or would you prefer to stick with your perception? Do you dispute the toxicity of copper on marine organisms? If so, please elaborate.

Hint - think TBT approval for larger vessels and economic impact assessment balance, etc...

[Bash]

I welcome these bans. The copper-based paint I'm currently using, Petit Trinidad, works poorly. I'm having my boat cleaned on a once-a-month basis, but within two weeks of a cleaning the waterline is green. This bill will provide an incentive for the manufacturers of bottom paint to come up with better solutions than coating our boats with copper.

It's time for paints that work well for the marine environment and for the boaters who apply them.

[steve_hendry]

I let my boatyard talk me into being a guinea pig for copperless paint this season. I'll let y'all know how it works out here in the upper Chesapeake.

[Capt Phil]

Be Afraid... Be very, very afraid! Capt Phil

[Ironhorse74]

Originally Posted by S/V Illusion

Yea, that's it! Everybody is corrupt. Paranoia aside, do you want to know the reason or would you prefer to stick with your perception? Do you dispute the toxicity of copper on marine organisms? If so, please elaborate.

Hint - think TBT approval for larger vessels and economic impact assessment balance, etc...

First point: I have seen the studies detailing increased copper levels in the water around marinas.

Second point: Queen Christine is not only corrupt but is also incompetent.

Third point: If it is so bad then it should be abolished entirely.

If the economic impact to commercial vessels is such a big deal leave them alone. However why exempt recreational vessels longer than 65 feet? The excuse in the article was that they spent more time in warmer waters.

BULLSH*T! Some big campaign contributor got to the Queen idiot in Olympia.

[category4jay]

Who would have thought that a simple environmental issue could conjur up such emotions in the CF. I say that cheek in tongue-we all know that environmental issues are as hotly debated politically as any other topic out there. That said I'm all for protecting our waters, oceans, and fisheries as much as we can before it is too late but the laws to do so should pertain to everyone and every class of vessel. To exempt commercial vessels and boats over 65' is not good policy. Not to mention the law only applies to NEW vessels sold after 2018. What about the tons of gallons of paint that will be used every year after 2018 to repaint pre-2018 boats and all boats over 65' and all marine vessels. Seems to me that the law is another example of a good idea that our lawmakers just didn't get right implementing.

Live long and prosper.

[Capt Phil]

As I recall, many of the boats I owned in the PNW were held together by the paint. If I had let them go for a year or two, pretty sure at least one would have sunk! Then Commissar Gregoire would have fined me for littering. Thank God for 'Big Sister' looking out for you up there. I can't believe this eco-political crap that is being fed to ignorant folks who vote at the expense of those who live and work on the water. If politicians were truly interested in the environment, they would go after the real polluters of this world like China or India. But that is too difficult and wouldn't get them re-elected. This is a Wag the Dog moment in WA state... cheers, Capt Phil

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by IdoraKeeper

Well, here I am a day late and a dollar short. I am going haul out next week. I assume that Idora will be well enough protected by the childrens water colors that will now be the only legal bottom paint. Finger paints will now be the only legal option I am sure.
Atleast I am too old to be dragooned into the WA State boater law. We seem to be unable to get these things right. The GOP would have arsenic in the Duwamish or the Dems want to wreck my boat. Meanwhile the WSP is out on the road (at great expense) stopping anyone who even looks like they would go 57 in a 55. The trends are all bad.

Todd

Not to mention the red light cameras now making millions off of unsuspected minor errors. Even at 2 AM in the morning with no one in sight for miles, one can get busted. Our Liberties being squashed on a daily basis.

Originally Posted by S/V Illusion

Yea, that's it! Everybody is corrupt. Paranoia aside, do you want to know the reason or would you prefer to stick with your perception? Do you dispute the toxicity of copper on marine organisms? If so, please elaborate.

And yes! Politicians are corrupt! Ms Gregorie has depleted the plus side of our state budget and ran us way into the minus.

Why not pick on the big guys? Because they have the money to put up a court battle, but not us little guys. We just have to bend over and take it.

Same with gasoline sales! They want us little guys to conserve and squeeze every little drop at our own expense, while the rich and famous fly around in their private jets and huge yachts with no concern of the fuel cost. We conserve fuel for them, $ is chump change!

All missy is trying to do is make herself look good in the eyes of certain groups and get ata-boys, while she squanders away like my ex with a credit card.
And where is this warmer water she is talking about? In the hot springs of the Olympic Mountains?

[capnorv]

I'm not against banning leaded paint, I'm for it. It is the special exemption I take offense to. In 2003-2004 we lived on A dock at Swantown Marina in downtown Olympia. During the legislative session there were 2 legislators who would bring their boats in to live on during the session, both were over 65'. Do you think there is a possibility they are selfserving? It would make much more sense/impact to ban lead on all Washington flagged vessels, pleasure and commercial.

[senormechanico]

I'll bet the Indian tribes will get an exemption as well.

Their casinos got an exemption from all sales taxes (estimated 200 million a year) for a $200,000 political donation to Gregoire's reelection campaign.

How's THAT for corrupt?

[foggysail]

Originally Posted by delmarrey

Not to mention the red light cameras now making millions off of unsuspected minor errors. Even at 2 AM in the morning with no one in sight for miles, one can get busted. Our Liberties being squashed on a daily basis.

A

RIGHT ON!!!!!!!!!!

Self anointed "save the earth" experts believe they have the right to lobby, later when in elected office, impose their unrealistic views on everybody. There is no end to what they try to change, all in the name of goodness. Thank the last election outcome or we would have Cap & Trade!

Here in Massachusetts our governor is ramming new laws that compel electric companies to acquire 250MW from solar by 2017! Further he is pushing for Cape Wind to provide electric power to utilities at a cost of $0.18/killowatt plus another $.10 for delivery cost! Outrages!! But it is all done in the name of goodness. His goal is for Massachusetts to out perform California in wacky do-gooder goals. He wants our state to "save the earth!" What bull crap! Wants Massachusetts to be the renewable energy center of the world. WOW! I firmly believe that every law maker should be required to have completed at least one college level thermodynamics course. We have one of the highest delivered electricity cost in the country and he wants to make it higher!

What will happen in Massachusetts and is NOW happening is our industries will move out of state! Fidelity already announced a move to Rhode Island. Even a Evergreen Solar, who received $58 million is start up subsides has bolted the state!

I pity those in Washington until I need to pity myself and others here in my state which is sure to follow Washington!

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by Bash

I welcome these bans. The copper-based paint I'm currently using, Petit Trinidad, works poorly. I'm having my boat cleaned on a once-a-month basis, but within two weeks of a cleaning the waterline is green. This bill will provide an incentive for the manufacturers of bottom paint to come up with better solutions than coating our boats with copper.

It's time for paints that work well for the marine environment and for the boaters who apply them.

Why aren't paint manufacturers or someone else already working this? Given that eveything is a cost:benefit thing there is always a market for stuff that works. Seems there is already lots of profit potential to drive the process.

[LookingForCruiser]

Originally Posted by S/V Illusion

Sarcasm aside, copper is toxic particularly to marine organisms and no one who values our environment should be so uninformed as many here appear to be.

Yes, that's the point of the copper...

[S/V Illusion]

Pretty soon every state will have more stringent environmental regs. How self-serving of them...

Seems like lots of people are still focusing on the tree while wandering aimlessly around the forest.

There are a myriad of copper-free bottom paints already on the market and widely available. That some would ask why it isn't available is quite telling.