Green Boating
Protect this place. Take the Pledge.
Boaters play a crucial role in safeguarding the diverse species that inhabit the Salish Sea. Learn more and take the pledge to minimize your wake.
Anchor out of Eelgrass
When in doubt, anchor out! Anchor in waters deeper than 25 feet to save important eelgrass for salmon, crab, and other wildlife. The combined effects of boaters’ anchoring are significant. It only takes a few minutes to learn about what eelgrass looks like and where it typically grows.
Download Friends of the San Juans’ free eelgrass depth map to help guide where you anchor while cruising in the San Juans. Keep a copy on your boat for when you are offline! Printed and laminated versions are also available by emailing friends@sanjuans.org
Give Endangered Orca Space and Be Whale Wise!
Current regulations require boaters in Washington waters to stay 1,000 yards away from Southern Resident killer whales at all times. 1,000 yards is approximately one-half nautical mile. Boaters who think they may be closer than 1,000 yards (but not within 400 yards) should attempt to navigate out of the path and away from Southern Residents at a speed of 7 knots or less. If Southern Residents approach within 400 yards of a boat, disengage the transmission, luff sails, or stop paddling (if it is safe to do so) until the animal moves away.
Visit BeWhaleWise.org for more info about current regulations. Learn about the Voluntary No-Go Zone for Southern Resident killer whales on the West Side of San Juan Island.
Help other people know whales are near. Watch for whale warning flags hoisted on other vessels so you can slow down or bring your boat to a stop in the presence of vulnerable marine mammals.
Help keep marine animals safe
Report any stranded, hurt, entangled, or endangered marine mammals. This includes sea lions, seals, whales, porpoises, and otters.
WhaleReport Alert System is an alert system that broadcasts pertinent details of whale presence to large commercial vessels.
(800) 562-8832 marine mammal stranding network.
(800) 853-1964 harassments and other violations.
For entangled marine mammals, please call (877) 767-9425 or hail the U.S. Coast Guard on VHF Channel 16.
Visit BeWhaleWise.org for more info about current regulations.
Keep it Clean and Green!
Do your part to keep marine waters clean by using pump outs, ensuring your boat is in good working order, and quickly cleaning even small oil spills.
Report Spills—It’s the law. In the event of an oil spill call 1-800-OILS-911. Even small spills need to be reported.
Small Spills Aren’t Slick. Get free small spills prevention materials from SeaGrant, which includes free absorbent fuel pads, videos, tips, and more! Dawn Liquid Soap is not effective for small oil spills. Dawn sinks the oil to the sea floor where wildlife ingest it, and it can do more harm. Instead, place an absorbent pad over the top of the spill to soak up as much as possible—just make sure it can be retrieved!
Pump out, don’t dump out. Download the free Pumpout Nav App to find your nearest pumpout location and keep our waters clean. Visit pumpoutwashington.org for more info.
Protect this place. Take the Pledge!
Take the Green Boater Pledge and then reach out to receive your official Green Boater kit.
Image courtesy Salish Seacrets Adventures
Ready to take it to the next level, matey?
Become a Green Boater Ambassador by committing to any of the following actions, and we’ll send you some cool gear! Email friends@sanjuans.org
- Volunteer your time in the following ways:
- Distribute green boater resources or hang posters at marinas.
- Attend a community science or beach clean-up event.
- Invite us to your yacht/boater club or event to give a presentation about green boating.
- Sport your Green Boater Ambassador gear while on the docks and out boating, and commit to sharing the following 4 tips with other boaters:
- Give whales space and be whale wise.
- Anchor out of eelgrass.
- Pump out, don’t dump out.
- Report all oil spills.
Image courtesy Salish Seacrets Adventures
Buoy Best Practices For Shoreline Property Owners
Shoreline property owners can set green boaters up for success in the following ways:
- Evaluate, upgrade or relocate outdated mooring buoys to reduce impacts to eelgrass. Learn more about funding support to upgrade buoys located in herring and eelgrass areas.
- Protect privately owned tideland habitats with voluntary conservation easements.
- Remove unnatural marine/beach debris from eelgrass and beach habitats such as derelict docks, floats, creosote-soaked pilings, etc. Funding and technical support is available to help interested waterfront property owners assess their shoreline restoration options. Email friends@sanjuans.org for more information.
Thank you to the Bonneville Environmental Foundation, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the Wheeler Foundation, WA State Salmon Recovery Funding Board, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Friends of the San Juans members for their support of eelgrass protection and restoration.
Join Friends for Community-Centered Action
Whether you live in the San Juan Islands, visit often, or help care for the Salish Sea from afar, your actions make a difference. Together, we can protect what makes this place extraordinary—shorelines, wildlife, and community.
