Best Management Practices (BMP)

Best Management Practices (BMP) are procedures which outline common sense, environmentally sound vessel maintenance procedures. The following is a brief outline of acceptable vessel maintenance practices that should be considered in development of a local policy for BMPs:

• Work areas shall be cleaned after each operation is completed or at the end of the day. Remove all trash, debris, paint chips, fiberglass, blast grit and residue etc. All maintenance shall be conducted in designated areas.


• Any maintenance involving blasting, chipping, sanding or other ablative/abrasive removal of material or paint shall be done over canvas or plastic tarps. If water blasting is conducted, filter fabric may be used instead of canvas or plastic tarps to allow water to pass through. These activities shall be done in an enclosed or sheltered structure or in a tarped enclosure to contain airborne debris and dust.


• Collected paint chips, dust, sediment, blast grit and similar debris shall be placed in containers approved for such material and disposed of according to Federal, State and local regulations. This material shall not be disposed of in the trash or construction materials dumpsters.


• Anti-fouling paints containing the minimum amount of toxin necessary for the expected conditions is strongly recommended. Avoid the use of soft ablative paints and use water based paints where possible


• Minimize the use of spray-painting equipment on vessels. Use brushes and rollers whenever possible. Spray painting is prohibited over water. Designate an area to mix paints, solvents and reducers. Keep records of paint use, type, application, amount required etc. All spray painting shall be conducted over land in a spray booth or under a tarp.


• Store opened containers of useable solvents and paints in covered, UL-listed, or Factory Mutual approved containers. Use only one cleaning solvent to simplify disposal and use only the minimal amount of solvent needed for a given job. Use soy-based solvents and other similar products with no or low volatility.


• Store engine parts and engines on impervious surfaces. Do not wash engine parts over bare ground or water. Adopt alternatives to solvent-based parts washers such as Bioremediating systems that take advantage of microbes to digest petroleum. If using solvent to clean engine parts, do so in a container parts washer with a lid to prevent evaporation of volatile organic compounds. Use drip pans when handling any type of liquid and use separate drip pans for each fluid to avoid mixing. Use funnels to transfer fluids and drain all parts of fluid prior to disposal. Clean engine repair areas regularly using dry cleanup methods. Capture petroleum spills with absorbent pads and materials. Do not hose down the repair area with water.


• Winterizing: Use propylene glycol antifreeze for all systems; it is less toxic than ethylene glycol. Ethylene glycol should never be used in potable water systems; it is highly toxic and cannot be purged reliably. Add stabilizers to fuel to prevent degradation. Be sure fuel tanks are 85-90% full to prevent flammable fumes from accumulating and to minimize the possibility of condensation leading to corrosion. Do not fill the tank more than 90% full. Use the highest rated octane recommended by the engine manufacturer; premium fuels are more stable than others are. Be sure the gas cap seals tightly.


• There may be additional requirements mandated by various Federal and State regulatory agencies. You are required to know and comply with these regulations as well.

The most current version of Alaska's BMPs can be viewed at the Alaska Coastal Management Program.

Tags: Best Management Practices BMP Boating Environment