Boat Fuel and Our Water
It’s a Bigger Deal Than You Might Think
So, you’re into boating. Getting out on the water is a fantastic way to relax and have fun. Millions of us do it every year. But there’s a side to boating that doesn’t always get much attention: fuel spills. Every time we fill up our boats with gas or diesel, there’s a chance some of that fuel will end up on ourselves, our vessel, and in the water. And even though it might not seem significant each time, it adds up. It can cause serious problems for our lakes, rivers, oceans, and everything (aquatic life, our health, etc…) that depends on them. Let’s look at how much fuel is spilled from recreational boats in the United States each year, why it happens, and what we can do about it.
Think about all the boats out there—there are millions of them. While most of us don’t use our boats daily, the ones on the water fill up and spill some fuel.
How much of that fuel might accidentally end up in the water?
Anyone who has refueled a boat in the water knows you will always spill a little, sometimes a lot. In the best-case scenario, you can catch what comes out of the fill port with a rag; in the worst case, it ends up in the water. It might not seem like a lot, just a little splash or a few drips. But when you multiply that by all the boats getting refueled across the country, year after year, it turns out it is a significant problem.
| Diesel | Gas | |
| Annual Consumption | 3-5 billion gallons | 1.5-2 billion gallons |
| Estimated Spill Rate | 0.5%-2% | 0.5%-2% |
| Low Estimate (0.5%) | 15-25 million gallons | 7.5-10 million gallons |
| High Estimate (2%) | 60-100 million gallons | 30-40 million gallons |
Fuel spills from recreational boats are often underreported due to reluctance to report small spills and fear of fines [1].
Why does this happen?
Boats are traditionally challenging to fill with fuel. Some older boats have vents mounted in the side gunwale to release air. The fuel displaces this air as the tank is filled. Some vents are improperly installed, and some just need maintenance. If these are working correctly, then the other cause is overflow issues from the fill port. If you have ever filled up with diesel fuel, you know it bubbles up, and there is no way to stop it as the tank fills. Most of the time, it is just an accident. But the outcome is the same. Fuel has spilled, and you have to deal with it.
Historically, boaters have been reactive in their approach to fuel spills. Rags, gloves, and cleaning supplies are the norm when you prepare to refuel at the dock. Boaters anticipate and accept that spilling a bit of fuel is just how it is when refueling.
What can I do?
You know how the gas pump for your car usually stops automatically when the tank is full? That’s thanks to something called the Venturi effect. The way the nozzle is designed, the flow of fuel creates a slight vacuum. When the fuel reaches the tip of the nozzle, it blocks this vacuum, which triggers the nozzle to shut off.
Now, boat fuel fill ports are much larger than cars. Because the standard fuel nozzle is the same size for both, the Venturi effect doesn’t work on a boat. If you want to fill up your boat like you do your car, you can use a tool like the CLiX Marine Fuel Overflow Preventer that eliminates the stress of backflow and spills. The device is designed to fit snugly into your boat’s fuel fill port and around the fuel nozzle. This creates a tighter seal and helps the Venturi effect work like it should. By creating that necessary vacuum, the CLiX device allows the nozzle to shut off automatically when your boat’s tank is full, just like filling up your car. This means less stress for you and a lot less spilled fuel going into our waterways.
Watch the below Instagram video as an example – The design of inboard boat fuel tanks, which are not pressurized, makes them prone to fuel spills during filling due to venting issues [2].
Fuel spills from recreational boats are a real issue that can harm our environment. While we might not see huge oil slicks from individual boaters, all those little spills add up. By understanding why these spills happen and by using simple preventative measures, including innovative devices like the CLiX Fueling Device, we can all do our part to keep our waterways clean and protect the natural beauty we all enjoy.
References:
* [1] https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/38427/noaa_38427_DS1.pdf
