A new pump-out station opened earlier this summer on Orcas Island. The pump-out site, located at West Beach Resort, will be the first to open in the San Juan Islands in over 20 years. The service is free, and boaters headed south can stop and quickly have their holding tanks emptied. West Beach Resort was chosen as the location of the pump-out station in response to a boater survey indicating the need for a station near Sucia Island. An attendant will be available to teach boaters how to use the new equipment.
The new station on Orcas Island is one of many that have been recently installed as part of the Washington Clean Vessels Act program. The program and new site are managed under the Washington State Parks. Boaters will be able to pick up a free pump-out adapter kit, provided by the Washington Sea Grant (WSG), available at the marina’s store.
Besides pump-out adapters, the WSG is offering free small oil spill kits this season as part of the Small Spills Prevention Program. Small oil spills account for a majority of the oil that ends up in local waters, and Washington Sea Grant is looking to reduce oil spills with free absorbent pillows that can be placed next to bilge pumps to prevent oil from entering the water. The kits are available in certain marinas, from Coast Guard Auxiliary vessel examiners, or can be mailed upon request. Visit wsg.washington.edu, or email WSG Boating Specialist Aaron Barnett ataaronb5@uw.edu for more information.
