Wave International Managing Director Paul Gullett joined marine industry experts for a panel discussion at Southampton Boat Show examining the international legislation for water pollution from bilge and grey water discharges, washdown facilities and the use of non-environmentally approved products.
The discussion, Understanding the Global Anti-Pollution Legislation that Applies to All Boaters, explored the implications of MARPOL and the responsibilities of recreational and commercial vessel operators, highlighting the need for greater awareness of water pollution across the marine sector.
The panel included Peter Wallbank of August Race and Mike Wimbridge of Pantaenius UK, a leading marine insurance company, who discussed how international pollution regulations including MARPOL apply to boating, the environmental risks associated with discharges from vessels, and the potential implications for owners, operators and insurers.
A key focus was the pollution caused by bilge water and grey water, which can contain oil, fuel residues, detergents, chemicals and other contaminants. While the marine industry’s sustainability agenda increasingly focuses on carbon emissions and propulsion technologies, the panel highlighted the importance of addressing the pollutants that enter the water directly from vessels.
The discussion reinforced the importance of practical pollution prevention at source to ensure boaters do not break the law. Mike Wimbridge of insurance company Pantaenius highlighted that insurance policies will not cover an illegal act.
He said: “If you break the law, your insurance policy won’t cover you, whether that’s your home, your car, your boat or anything else.
“It’s really important to understand that if you do find yourself in that position and are subsequently fined by the Environment Agency, for example, those fines and penalties aren’t covered either.”
Paul Gullett concluded the session by stating that the marine industry needed to look beyond carbon emissions when considering its environmental responsibilities. He said: “Protecting the marine environment means looking at everything that goes into the water, not just the emissions produced by a vessel. Bilge water and grey water pollution are important issues that deserve greater attention, alongside the industry’s wider sustainability efforts. Effective filtration technology can make a real difference, but awareness, understanding of the regulations and a commitment to responsible practices are equally important.”
