2.3 NOTES ON THE ENVIRONMENT

Environmental pollution is caused by three kinds of polluting agents:

• Water polluters;
• Air polluters;
• Soil polluters.

Non oily and black waters (containing only human organic waste) can be discharged into the open sea. In harbour areas they should be collected into suitable containers and afterwards discharged either while cruising into open sea or by means of special drainage systems fastened to the shore or wheel-conveyed (with optional black water tank).

Soil pollution is caused by discharging waste at shore.

International rules for leisure crafts essentially prescribe the following:

• During navigation it is forbidden to discharge any non biodegradable product, either of food or commercial origin, into the open sea.
• In the harbour, normal waste is considered as urban waste that must be hermetically sealed in plastic bags and thrown into waste dumpsters.
• Special waste must be disposed of into suitable containers or, if these are not available, it must be delivered to local waste disposing areas, in compliance with the rules in force, issued by the local Port Authority.
• The following waste is considered special waste:
• Water and oily mixtures (e.g.: Bilge water);
• Oils (fuel, additives and lubricants);
• Poisonous chemical substances (like battery acids, paints, thinners and the relevant containers);
• Spray cans containing C.F.C. gas;
• Batteries;
• Spent flares;
• Expired pharmaceutical products;
• Products containing lead or asbestos;
• Etc..
• Fuel and oil leaks.
• Waste discharge and disposal.
• Excessive noise.
• Wake / wake from board.
• Exhaust fumes.
• Paints, detergents and other agents.

Please remember that, according to legislation, until such waste is delivered to suitable disposal areas, you will be considered as possessors and therefore indictable in case of unlawful discharge. Should specific cases be missing in the harbour area, the Authority in charge for the disposal is the Port Authority section “Waste Disposal”.