Guidance for boatowners: Essential tips to prevent oil spills and protect our waterways

Oil spills from boats often occur during refuelling, bilge pumping or from poor oil storage. If you own, hire or maintain a boat, there are some simple steps you can take to help stop the spills.

Top tips for boating oil care

• Keep an oil spill kit on board. A kit can contain oil sorbent products, sheets and socks, a bag to put these in once used, leak sealing putty and instructions.
• Store oil securely to avoid spills or theft. Don’t overfill containers, leave space for movement and secure caps. 
• Use drip trays with sorbent sheets under engines and gearboxes.
• Place oil-sorbent filter or products in your bilge, inspect regularly and replace as needed. Inspect your bilge before pumping.
• Before refuelling, check visible parts of your tank and pipes to make sure they are in good condition.
• Fill portable containers away from the water’s edge – ensure containers are designed to store the fuel or oil you are using, are in good condition and have a secure fitting lid.
• Fix leaks fast – don’t wait. 
• Dispose of waste oil and oil soaked products safely. Ask your marina or visit the Oil Care website for advice on good practice.

What to do if you have an oil spill

• If you are in still or slow-moving water and can safely reach the spill, try using oil sorbent products from your spill kit to remove it, but make sure you don’t leave these to float away creating litter.
• If you can’t deal with it without putting yourself at risk, call the NIEA Incident Hotline on 0800 807060 (lines open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year).
• If you have an oil spill in a harbour, tell the harbour master.
• Don’t mix detergent with the oil – this makes the pollution worse as detergent itself is a pollutant. 

Remember, oil and water don’t mix – please keep them apart.

Visit the Oil Care website for more useful information for boatowners Advice on Storing Oil on Boats to Prevent Spillages.