2023-Sep-15
Clean, Drain and Dry Your Boat Before Leaving the Lake This Season
Invasive species are one of the greatest threats to the biodiversity of Ontario’s waters, wetlands and woodlands by displacing our native species and upsetting the delicate nature of our ecosystems. And they love hitching a ride on your boat!
In 2022, rules came into effect in Ontario requiring boat owners to take “reasonable precautions to remove all aquatic plants, animals and algae from any boat, boat equipment, vehicle or trailer” before transporting a boat or boating equipment overland.
When getting ready to retrieve your boat this year, remember Clean, Drain and Dry to help keep invasives in check.
Upon Retrieval of your boat:
- Clean
- As soon as the boat is removed from the water, visually inspect all equipment (watercraft, trailer and gear) for aquatic plants, animals, or mud that may be attached. Remove any mud, sand and plant materials by hand before leaving the shore.
- Rinse, scrub or pressure wash your boat and gear thoroughly away from storm drains, ditches or waterways. This can be completed at home or at your watercraft storage facility.
- Drain
- At the retrieval site, remove or open drain plugs and drain all water from the watercraft and
equipment (e.g. bilges, ballasts, livewells, coolers, fish-holding containers). Water must be drained at the waterbody where it came from.
- At the retrieval site, remove or open drain plugs and drain all water from the watercraft and
- Dry
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- Allow the wet areas of your boat to air dry and leave compartments open and sponge out standing water.
Invasives are sneaky. Remember to check all of the common places they may be hiding on your boat:
Remembering to clean, drain and dry your boat every time you take it out of the water is a simple and effective way you can help prevent the spread of invasive species in Ontario.
Read more here.