Marinas

Underground or aboveground storage tanks (UST/AST) can store fuel, oil, waste oil, and wastewater. Accidental releases from tanks can occur suddenly or gradually over time, contaminate soil, groundwater, and surface waters, and lead to costly investigations and cleanups. Fumes or vapors from ASTs/USTs can also lead to bodily injury claims from third parties.

Fuel releases can cause contamination of marina surface water and groundwater and pose a fire safety risk. Releases can occur from several circumstances, including overfilling boats, leaking pipes or hoses from tanks and fueling dispensers, or during fuel loading from a delivery vehicle to a fuel tank.

Stormwater run-off can be contaminated by many sources within the marina, including fuel or oil from storage tank leaks or parking lots, toxic substances from hull and boat maintenance debris (such as paint chips or sanding dust from metal-containing boat paints), sewage, wastewater from vessel cleaning and leaks from stored chemicals. Failure to provide appropriate containment measures can cause polluted run-off to enter stormwater drains or go directly into water bodies.

Repair, cleaning, and maintenance activities performed in the slip or dockside involve the use of materials that can be hazardous. Paints used on marine vessels can contain metals (such as tin and copper) and VOCs, which can be toxic to humans and aquatic life. Chemical paint strippers can also be toxic. Hull cleaning involving scrubbing the boat bottom can release toxic bottom paints and biocides in the marina basin.

Accidental sewage releases from on-site wastewater treatment plants and sewage pump-out and dump stations can migrate into surface water, kill fish, damage vessels and create unsafe conditions for recreational usage.

Improper disposal of wastes, including used oil, lubricants, solvent rags, maintenance debris, paints, engine filters, antifreeze, and automotive batteries, can leave the generator of the waste exposed to a potential lawsuit. These wastes can contain hazardous materials that require special disposal or recycling procedures. Businesses, including marinas, must determine whether the waste they generate is hazardous.

Illegal dumping of pollutants on marina properties, referred to as illicit abandonment, can lead to a costly investigation, cleanup, and waste disposal. It can become the property owner’s burden for cleanup and third-party bodily injury or property damage if law enforcement cannot locate the originator of the waste.

Boat operations and dredging can disturb bottom sediment, disrupting the marine environment and causing increased turbidity and potential algae blooms. Construction at a marina can also lead to disturbance of sediments that, if not properly controlled, can impact surface water quality.

Accidental releases during the transportation of petroleum products, chemicals, or wastes by or on behalf of a marina due to improper cargo securement, a loose valve, or vehicle upsets or over-turns can cause environmental harm and liability for marinas.

Due to the wet conditions in the area of a marina, buildings present at a marina can be susceptible to flooding, water intrusion, or excess humidity. Mold could develop in these buildings, causing cleanup liability, third-party bodily injury, and property damage claims.