1. Hydrocarbon-based solvents must not be released into the ground
Hydrocarbon-based solvents include, for example, gasoline, white spirit, mineral turpentine and other similar oil-based products. The use of these is not prohibited, but they must not be released into the soil. It is allowed to wipe the side of the boat with a rag and deliver the rag to hazardous waste collection when the other substance evaporates into the air. If, on the other hand, the substance is washed from the side of the boat into the ground, it is an activity against the regulations.
Hydrocarbons are contained in many solvent cleaners bought at car dealerships or gas stations. On the other hand, the vast majority of materials purchased from a boat shop comply with the regulations when used according to the instructions. You can try to inquire about the composition of the ingredients from the shop assistant, but knowledge varies.
2. Boats can be water washed with a pressure washer when lifting and the water can be let on the ground.
Pressure washing with water alone removes organisms stuck to the surface of the boat, e.g. bacteria and algae. For water washing, there is no need to build anything for the washing water collection. Of course, solvent detergents should not be used in connection with pressure washing either. If pressure washing removes substances that should not be released into the soil, other alternatives should be considered. For example, oil stains that may have stuck to the surface of the boat must be removed in such a way that they do not spoil the soil.
3. You have to spread a tarp under the boat when scraping the antifouling in the spring.
And the paint waste accumulated on the tarpaulin must be delivered to hazardous waste collection. If the docking area is asphalted, the paint waste that has fallen to the ground can be brushed up and delivered to hazardous waste collection.
If the antifouling is not scraped, but only lightly sanded before a new layer of paint, you can consider the usefulness of spreading the tarpaulin. However, the sanding dust accumulated in the bag of the sander must be sent to hazardous waste collection.
Primers include e.g. copper, which is one of the substances whose concentrations have been found by the city’s sports services in the soil of boat clubs. If the Boat Club possibly moves away from its current area, there should be no significant accumulations of harmful substances in the soil.
Dry paint waste other than antifouling waste containing an anti-adhesion agent is not hazardous waste. However, grinding waste must not be dumped on the ground, even if it is not hazardous waste, but can be tightly packed and placed in the normal waste. If it is not certain whether the paint waste contains an anti-adhesion agent or not, it is always advisable to take the grinding waste to hazardous waste processing. In liquid form, paints and varnishes contain solvents that should not enter the soil.
The city no longer has separate instructions for dockyards. The small-scale use of dangerous chemicals in Helsinki is monitored by the rescue service. See more information about environmental protection Urban environment industry, environmental services / Environmental protection regulations of the city of Helsinki (pdf).
The fire department’s pages related to the topic can be found on the internet City of Helsinki > Rescue Department > Preventing accidents > Dangerous chemicals and fireworks