How many times have you been gassing your boat, or watching others gas theirs, and some gas overflows into the water? And, how many times have you seen someone pick up a bottle of detergent and squirt it on the offending slick on the water? Magically, the gassy sheen disappears the moment it is hit with the soap. What a great way to eliminate pollution.
Well, should a member of the Coast Guard Spill Response Team happen to see that detergent being sprayed it can subject the perpetrator to a fine of up to $25,000.
Gasoline is a light petroleum product and left alone soon will evaporate. But, the detergent will emulsify the fuel and cause it to sink to the bottom where it pollutes and harms marine life.
So, should an accidental spill occur, ignore that impulse to make it disappear by spraying it with a soap product. See, we just saved you $25,000!
By the way, should you see oil pollution on the water, notify the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802.