Furthermore, in areas that have been specifically studied, such as the Singapore River, heavy metal pollutants have contaminated the sand and dirt under the water. Lead is another chemical that can negatively impact the environment and sea creatures. Fish eggs and aquatic-borne larvae are particularly vulnerable. The chemicals contained in boat exhaust act as toxins, which can kill aquatic wildlife instantly, or cause mutations, cancers, and birth defects after years of exposure.īoth petroleum exhaust and carbon monoxide poisoning can lead to fish deaths, especially in waters with high boat traffic. The plants and animals that live in both freshwater and seawater environments have evolved to require very specific levels of light, pH, and nutrients. Since the exhaust is directly related to fuel consumption, that means a boat will exhaust a gallon of these harmful chemicals each mile it travels.Ī two-stroke motor will discharge 25-30% of the unburned gas and oil mixture into the water, while a four-stroke motor reduces these figures by about 97% Are Fish and Sea Life Affected by Boat Exhaust?Īny change in the chemical balance of water will impact the health and well-being of marine wildlife. While American passenger automobiles have an average fuel economy of 25 miles per gallon, boats average one mile per gallon. Gasoline engines produce more organic compounds, while diesel engines have a higher rate of particulates in their exhaust. Is this a Problem for the Environment?Īll boat engines produce nitrogen, carbon monoxide, particulates, and harmful organic compounds. In both cases, this means the particles included in the exhaust will mix in with the water upon which the boat is being operated. Also, many inboard engines run on diesel fuel, which is known to have a higher nitrogen content and particulate matter in their emissions and exhaust. Outboard engines will discharge exhaust gases underwater, typically through the propeller, while the exhaust from inboard engines appears just above the waterline, along with the discharge of cooling water. On the other hand, four-stroke engines require a separate lubricating oil that is continuously circulated and does not burn out with the exhaust.įour-stroke engines generate about ten times less exhaust pollution than two-stroke engines. Often, the exhaust from these engines will include burnt off oil and gasoline emissions. Gasoline-powered two-stroke engines require an oil lubricant to be mixed with gasoline, which continuously burns as the engine is running. Two-stroke outboard engines have perhaps the most noticeable exhaust. You can sometimes see these fumes when a boat is experiencing exhaust issues, or when you first fire up the engine after a long break. Instead, it is passed through to the exhaust, along with some of the gaseous output from the engine. This water does not touch the engine directly unless you have a huge mechanical problem. What Happens when Exhaust Goes Underwater?Ī wet exhaust engine is designed to take in seawater to travel through the heat exchanger, gear oil cooler, and if your boat has one, and aftercooler. So, while wet exhaust engines will, in fact, exhaust into the water, dry exhaust engines will exhaust into the air. These inboard engines usually use water for cooling, but it does not combine with the exhaust gas, but simply discharges back into the water. In contrast, dry exhaust engines are most common on performance powerboats, and larger workboats, as well as trawlers and passagemakers, wherein the engine has been specifically designed to allow for the hot exhaust to be forced out into the air. Are often quieter than dry exhaust engines, because the water absorbs the noise and heat, which is why many boaters prefer them.Use raw water from its surroundings to keep the engine cool, which flows in through the seacock, and is expelled through the exhaust.Include most conventional outboard or stern-drive engines, which exhaust through a vent in the propeller.The two most common types of boat engines are “wet exhaust” engines and “dry exhaust” engines. However, all boats with engines do create exhaust and emissions in some manner. The short answer is no, and not all boat engine types exhaust directly into the water. Can You Avoid Boat Exhaust Getting into the Water?ĭo All Boat Engine Types Exhaust into the Water?.What About Large Freight Ships and Exhaust?.How Much Boat Exhaust Goes into the Ocean Per Year?.Are Fish and Sea Life Affected by Boat Exhaust?.What Happens when Exhaust Goes Underwater?.Do All Boat Engine Types Exhaust into the Water?.
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