To help prevent marine pollution, pick up a free "boater bag" at the Santa Barbara Harbor Patrol, the Waterfront offices, or at CEC's offices in downdown Santa Barbara. For more information, call 963-0583 ext. 104.

If you are a boater in the Santa Barbara region, you know better than anyone how unique and precious our coastal waters are. You may not always realize, however, how easily these fragile marine ecosystems can be damaged. Just one quart of oil that has accumulated and mixed with water in a boat's bilge can pollute up to 250,000 gallons of water if released into the ocean.

Boaters need to pay attention to anything that could end up dripping, falling or washing into the ocean: antifreeze; batteries; bilge water; motor oil and oil filters; paints, stains, thinners and cleaners; sewage; and trash. CEC — together with the City of Santa Barbara Waterfront Department and other partners throughout California — provides convenient ways for boaters to dispose of these common pollutants:

Antifreeze
Take antifreeze to facilities at Pier 3 in Port San Luis, and Marina #2 or #4 at Santa Barbara Harbor.

Batteries
Batteries are considered hazardous waste when you want to dispose of them. They should not be thrown in the trash, and should never be tossed into the ocean. Morro Bay, Port San Luis, Santa Barbara, Ventura Port District and Channel Islands harbors all have convenient locations for disposing of batteries. Download our brochure to find out where.

Bilge Water
Bilge pads (or pillows) can be placed in a boat's bilge to soak up oil or to prevent spills when fueling. When boaters at Santa Barbara Harbor properly dispose of their used absorbents, they receive a free pad in exchange. Download our brochure to find out how. Also, CEC worked with the City of Santa Barbara Waterfront Department to install a facility that pumps water out of the bilge and separates the water from the oil. For more information, call us at (805) 963-0583, ext. 104.

Motor Oil and Filters
Every harbor in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties has at least one facility that accepts used oil and filters. Download our brochure to find out more.

Paints, Stains, Thinners and Cleaners
Residents of the Santa Barbara South Coast, including the unincorporated parts of Carpinteria, should take all hazardous materials to the Community Hazardous Waste Collection Center on the UCSB campus. This center is managed and operated by the County of Santa Barbara - please direct all questions to them.

Sewage
Pumping sewage directly into the harbor introduces disease-carrying bacteria and viruses, and creates problems for fish and other aquatic life by lowering the oxygen levels in the water. Plus, it's illegal. Every harbor in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties has at least one sewage pump-out facility. Download our brochure to find out where.

Trash
Don't let fishing line, styrofoam, plastic bags or six-pack rings get released or blown overboard. Stow trash carefully and bring it back to shore.