Reducing the spread of invasive species at the launch-ramp.


	Launching Your Pleasure Craft - Environmentally Friendly Cleaners:

How to Help Prevent the spread of an invasive species;

Rinse your hull before and after visiting a new body of water (make use of power-washers at the launch-ramp)

be sure your bilge water isn't the host for spreading a new species!

Do you recognize these invaders shown below? Please click on their photos for more information about them.

Using a pressure washer at the launch ramp will help you prevent the spreading of an invasive species.

At the Launch Ramp;

disconnect the lighting harness and allow the bulbs to cool before backing the trailer into the water.

do not disconnect the winch cable until the boat is in the water.

as a courtesy, load your boat away from the launch ramp.

Do not power-load when putting your boat back on the trailer, use the winch. (note the hole & shallow spot that is created by prop-wash)


	Ontario Boating League 8 - 63 Main St. PO Box 5085 Penetanguishene ON L9M 2G3 Phone: (705) 549-6500 Fax: (705) 549-6463 Emergency: (705) 528-9927

Avoid powering onto the trailer, use the winch.

Kill switch lanyard is attached to the operator. If he or she falls off, the boat will immediately stop.

About Personal Water Craft:
Since personal water craft (PWC) have an inboard engine & built-in fuel tank,

they must carry a 5BC fire extinguisher onboard.

If the operator & all persons onboard are wearing an approved PFD, they are exempted from having to carry a paddle, anchor, bailer or manual bilge pump onboard. Refer to the tables for power boats up to 6 metres in length.

Always attach the ignition cut-off switch lanyard to your wrist or Pfd.

Inflatable Pfd's are not permitted for the driver or passengers.

Operators must be at least 16 years of age.

Remember, power must be applied in order to steer!

As a courtesy, vary your operating area.

Stay out of blind spots (avoid wake jumping close behind other boats).

Avoid damage to the jet-drive and the environment, by not operating in shallow water!

Keep water out of the engine, refer to the transom-decal (shown at right) when righting a PWC.

A decal mounted on the rear of an overturned personal watercraft, shows the operator which way to roll the vessel upright.


	8 Great Green Cleaners (Gleaned from Marc Lallanilla's article in About.com, Green Living


	When I saw Marc's article, I immediately recognized how useful these products could be for boaters, especially since so many are wood friendly too. Thanks for tips Marc! Baking Soda is an abrasive cleaner/deodorizer. It scours sinks, pots, pans, tile surfaces, stainless steel, fiberglass and more. Because it is an alkaline, baking soda reacts with acids (such as lemon juice or vinegar). Use this to clear clogged drains - pour some baking soda into the drain, add a few splashes of vinegar, then cover the drain to let the foaming action push out the clog. If your carpet needs deodorizing, sprinkle baking soda on it before vacuuming.


	Washing Soda is a somewhat caustic cleaner, so wear gloves when you're using it to scour out the stains and mildew in your shower, sink or other wet tiled places. Look for it in the detergent aisle of most grocery stores.


	White Vinegar is a natural disinfectant. A 50/50 mix with water in a spray bottle is a great way to clean glass, cutting boards and other surfaces.--but don't use it on marble or other polished stone (it can leave an indelible mark on the surface) It is also useful as a deodorizing cleaner for mildewed bathroom surfaces. (the smell of vinegar goes away quickly, leaving just a fresh smell). Mix vinegar with hot water to clean most hardwood floors quickly & easily.


	Borax is an all-purpose green cleaner and disinfectant that cuts through grease, removes rust stains, whitens and deodorizes. It makes laundry & dishwashing detergents more effective.


	Plain Olive Oil is great for cleaning and polishing wood surfaces. For cleaning wood floors- mix in 1 teaspoon of Olive Oil in with 1/4 cup of Vinegar in 1 gallon of hot water


	Lemon Juice & Fresh Cut Lemons are a good way to clean with a strong acid that leaves a fresh scent behind. Cut a lemon in half and rub it on a barbeque grill, or dip in salt to remove stains from metal surfaces like copper and brass.


	Castile Soap is a foaming cleanser made from vegetables like olives, coconuts, palm, hemp or other plant-based ingredients. Diluted, it's an ideal cleaner for wood surfaces. It can double as a body cleanser and shampoo for you and your whole family--even your pet!


	And All the Rest: Some people swear by Tea Tree Oil (just a few drops) as an additive to plain water to deodorize and wipe out mildew and fungus. Ordinary Table Salt can help you scour out oven residue. It can also help remove iron-based stains like red wine, blood and chocolate. Re-use old cotton clothing as cleaning rags (few other fabrics are more absorptive). You can store homemade cleaners in old spray bottles, but make sure they are labeled and carefully stored away from kids and pets--even green cleaners are not safe to ingest!