The environmental impact from activities within boatyards, marinas, harbours coastal and inland waterways is, without doubt, a real and ever-increasing problem. Every year thousands of birds, seals, fish and other wildlife, die as a result of plastic litter. The huge variety of waste products that litter our waterways pose real threats to the inhabitants of our rivers and seas. Plastic products do not break down but break up into small pieces which can be easily ingested, act as potential traps and can badly injure wildlife that comes into contact with them.
James Burnell, Operations Director explained, ‘P&D Marine Services have been working to create a solution to this ever-growing problem, to remove the plastic and other waste products from our waterways, to provide clean and waste-free marinas, harbours, lakes, rivers and canals.’
Microplastics are a hidden threat and come from a variety of sources, including larger plastic debris that degrades into smaller pieces. In addition, microbeads, a type of microplastic, are minute particles of manufactured polyethylene plastic that are added as exfoliants to health and beauty products, such as some cleansers and toothpaste which are disposed of via greywater. These tiny particles easily pass-through water filtration systems and end up in our seas, watercourses, lakes and reservoirs, posing a potential threat to aquatic life.
James added. ‘P&D Marine Services are pleased to be launching the PD Waste Rover, a small robot capable of collecting waste from waterways including Microplastics. The Waste Rover will also clear chemical/oil waste from the water and can be operated by just one person. We offer our serviced solution where one of our team visits and carries out the clearing for you. The new PD Waste Rover is also available to hire or purchase outright.’
Marinas, boatyards and harbours are not simply a car park for boats. People look at the environmental approach that marinas, harbours and local authorities take to maintaining a plastic-free environment and how they invest in continuing to maintain the quality of the water for birds, fish, and smaller indigenous species that the food chain relies upon to maintain the ecosystem.
Millions of pounds are spent each year to inform and educate, however, this is not always enough, as we still find waterways littered with discarded waste to the detriment of the environment.
