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We all had to give up TBT because there was incontrovertible evidence that the tin was causing serious problems with shellfish, especially dogwhelks. It is now an IMO requirement, and from this year, even the deepsea ships cannot use TBT. So now the paint companies offer us a range of antifoulings based on copper and anti-slime compounds. But several environment watchers are already reporting that copper levels in several UK estuaries exceed European warning levels. They have even suggested – and I do not disagree – that the Environment Agency already have sufficient powers to act to stop this pollution. Imagine what would happen if they insisted that pollution levels from copper were reduced at Hamble or Lymington! There is no doubt that we are at risk. Already copper based antifoulings are severely restricted or banned in parts of Holland.
Without doubt, the paint companies will find another solution to follow copper based paints, but until they come up with an effective ceramic finish, and the means of applying it, we are going to be chased from pillar to post, probably rightly.
Levels of zinc are also high in some areas, so what are we going to do when anodes are banned?
But this is only one area where yachts are alleged to pollute, I am still regaled by those from the shipping community who allege that you can navigate from Falmouth to the Scillies, or from Poole to Cherbourg by following the lager cans thrown overboard from yachts. I hope I know it is not true. Apart from anything else, the easiest way to navigate to the Scillies is to follow the helicopters! Waste is a boring subject – especially for yacht designers. No boat I know has adequate provision for the storage of wastes. Cruising in Ireland, the West Coast of Scotland, and even in some parts of Brittany, it becomes difficult to store wastes after two or three days without visiting a marina or port. Designers pleased note!
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