Floridians are lucky to live on a floating peninsula surrounded by beautiful and vast oceans.

For most, boating is an enjoyable, recreational activity much loved by so many. Still, avid boaters must not forget to protect the oceans while boating safely, something which can be done in a variety of ways.

First, boaters can avoid pollution. When fueling up, ensure not to spill fuel into the water, and not to overfill the tank so it doesn’t pour out. This procedure can be accomplished using a rag or funnel.

Boaters can also avoid littering. Before departing ensure to have plenty of garbage bags and a recycling bin. This way there will be no loose garbage aboard.

“Before my family and I leave for a trip on the water, we always make sure to have non-plastic garbage bags aboard along with a small recycling bin,” said sophomore Gabi Cardozo.

One big no-no while boarding is to not throw garbage overboard. This includes dumping out cups, plastic items, and liquids.

Other common items that accidentally end up in the ocean are cigarette butts, styrofoam, and plastic caps.

Another way to avoid harming the ocean is to use environment-friendly cleaning products. Avoid using harsh chemicals to clean your boat. When purchasing cleaning items look for ones that are non-phosphate. Dawn is one of many great environment-friendly cleaning products.

“The only thing my dad and I use to clean our boat is Dawn because I know we know it won’t harm our oceans,” said sophomore Esme Cush.

These are just a few of the many ways to ensure care for the beloved ocean. It might seem like small steps, but they do make a big difference.