In an effort to maximize performance and to stretch the time between haulouts, some boaters and sailors hire divers, or dive themselves, to clean their hulls while their vessels are in the water. If done properly, underwater hull cleaning removes marine growth and minimal antifouling paint. But if done too vigorously or when ablative paint is scrubbed, unacceptable levels of toxic bottom paint may be released into the surrounding water.

    The following Best Management Practices for Divers are intended to guide decisions about hull treatment and maintenance, and minimize pollution concerns associated with underwater hull cleaning. Lakeside Hull & Underwater Marine Service has adopted these procedures.

Best Management Practices for Divers
 
• Clean gently to avoid creating a plume or cloud of paint in the water.
 
• On boats painted with ablative paints, clean only running gear and zinc anodes.
 
• Refrain from hull cleaning for a minimum of 60 days after hard antifouling paint has been applied. Paints release more toxicant when new.

• Always use the least abrasive material that will effectively clean the painted surfaces:
 
•  Use soft sponges or pieces of carpet to clean marine growth.
 
•  Use soft nylon or similar material on rotary brush machines.
 
•  Use more rigorous cleaning pads only as needed to remove hard growth.
 
•  Use stainless steel pads or brushes only on unpainted metal areas.
 
•  Do not clean the entire hull if it is not dirty. Just do the waterline, running gear, and propeller.
 
•  Never sand, strip or chip hull paint underwater.
 
•  If you replace zinc anodes, bring the old ones ashore for recycling.
 
•  Provide customers with a copy of these pollution prevention procedures.  

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