More from the EPA on on anti-fouling for NZ boats

by Mike Rose on 4 Oct 2013 Over the last three years the New Zealand government’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has undertaken a significant reassessment of all the antifouling paints used in New Zealand. The aim has been to ensure that both the environment and those applying the paints are properly protected, preferably without unduly compromising the effectiveness of the antifouling paints.

The good news for the owners of moored boats is that, while antifouling manufacturers, retailers and boat yards will be affected (some quite seriously) by the resulting new rules, there will be little impact for the owners of most moored pleasure boats.

The new rules also require antifouling paint manufacturers and importers to provide more detailed data and safety information on the label of every can of antifouling. In addition, each can will also need to be accompanied by a Safety Data Sheet, either attached to the can or provided by the retailer. Both requirements take effect from January 1, 2014, just three months away.

Those applying antifouling (especially professionally) and those providing the space for it to be applied will also be affected by the new regulations.

From July 1, 2015, anywhere antifouling is being scrubbed down, sanded or painted will need to be clearly designated as a Controlled Work Area. Within this Controlled Work Area, ALL waste will need to be contained so that it cannot enter the environment. This includes all sanding dusts, sanding liquids and anything else that is produced by the application or maintenance of the antifouling.

Once contained, this waste must then be collected and disposed of in accordance with very strict regulations.

All Controlled Work Areas will also require detailed signage (large enough to be clearly visible from 10 metres away). This will need to state that antifouling maintenance and/or application is taking place; that, at all times, everyone within the Controlled Work Area must be wearing the appropriate PPE (Personal Protective Equipment); and display the name and contact details of the person who has established the Controlled Work Area.

Those intending to spray apply antifouling will also need to install suitable screens around the boat to ensure that no antifouling paint is able to escape the Controlled Work Area and affect any other person or boat or any waterway or part of the surrounding environment. Everyone involved in the spray application must also wear an appropriate respiratory PPE.

Professional boat maintenance yards and hard stands (such as Orams Marine in Westhaven) already do all of this and so are unlikely to be too seriously affected. However, some yacht club yards and smaller hardstand areas will need to work hard to ensure they are compliant by the 2015 deadline.

Because most boat owners who apply their own antifouling do so using brushes and rollers (as opposed to spray painting), they will not be too badly affected by the changes.

They will, of course, no longer be able to use some of the more informal ways of applying antifouling, such as on careening grids, slipways or beaches. However, this will have little effect on most, especially in larger centres, as local and regional councils have long banned such practices anyway.

DIY-ers will also, mainly for their own health, no longer be allowed to dry sand antifouling, all sanding will need to be wet. In addition, Ron Brown, Altex’s pleasure marine manager, recommends that they use a pole sander, to provide some distance between themselves and the dust and debris created by the sanding.

All those applying or doing maintenance on antifouling will also need to wear the appropriate PPE including full suit overalls (including head coverings), safety glasses or goggles, suitable protective gloves and closed-in footwear.

Brown says DIY-ers should also be aware of some key 'do nots' when re-applying antifouling.

'These are not because it is against the law (although, in some cases, it is) but because it will adversely affect the performance of the antifouling paints.'

He says people should not try to apply antifouling coatings between tides, should not add additives or excessively thin the antifouling, should not over- or under-build the film thickness (use too much or too little antifouling) and should not try to re-launch their boat before the antifouling is completely dry.

'Provided one is sensible, follows the new rules and is happy to apply antifouling with brushes and rollers (as 90% of DIY-ers do), the new regulations will have little affect on most boat owners,' he says.

'Properly applied, good quality antifouling will still give very good protection for up to two years (and in some cases considerably longer).

'That is good news for us, for New Zealand pleasure boat owners and for the environment.'

Summary of new antifouling regulations:

DIY brush and roller application still ok

From January 1, all antifouling cans will come with detailed data and safety information and be accompanied by a Safety Data Sheet

No antifouling permitted on careening grids, slipways or beaches

Proper protection to be worn at all times (includes head coverings, safety glasses or goggles, suitable protective gloves and closed-in footwear

From July 1, 2015 all antifouling areas to be designated as Controlled Work Areas and all waste contained and disposed of correctly

Those spray-applying antifouling to wear an appropriate respiratory system

More information: EPA: (04) 916-2426 or info@epa.govt.nz