International Association of Marine Aids to

Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities

IALA Guideline No. 1036

On

Environmental Considerations
in Aids to Navigation
Engineering

(IALA Green Guidelines)

AISM Association of Internationale de Signalisation Maritime IALA

Edition 1

December 2004

20ter, rue Schnapper, 78100

Saint Germain en Laye, France
Telephone +33 1 34 51 70 0 Telefax +33 1 34 51 82 05
E-mail - iala-aism@wanadoo.fr Internet - http://iala-aism.org
 IALA Guideline No. 1036
‘Green Guidelines’ (Dec. 2004)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Introduction _______________________________________________________ 3
2. Pollution prevention_________________________________________________ 3
3. Cost versus benefit of "greening" ATON________________________________ 4
4. Environmental management __________________________________________ 4
5. Technical considerations_____________________________________________ 5
5.1 Batteries ______________________________________________________ 5
5.2 Paints ________________________________________________________ 5
5.3 Solvents ______________________________________________________ 7
5.4 Blast cleaning __________________________________________________ 8
5.5 Fuel__________________________________________________________ 8
5.6 Synthetic buoys and moorings ____________________________________ 9
5.7 Lamps _______________________________________________________ 10
5.8 Mercury _____________________________________________________ 10
5.9 Asbestos _____________________________________________________ 11
5.10 Electric and electronic devices___________________________________ 11
5.11 Noise pollution________________________________________________ 11
5.12 Light pollution________________________________________________ 12
5.13 Impact on marine life and ha bitats _______________________________ 12
5.14 Contaminated land ____________________________________________ 13

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1. Introduction
Aids to Navigation (ATON) play a critical role in protecting the environment by
preventing maritime disasters that could have potentially catastrophic ecological
consequences at sea and on shore. However, the ATON equipment and activities
themselves can create significant environmental damage through pollution, waste
generation, and the disruption of ecosystems. It is essential to minimize these negative
impacts so that the benefits of ATON are not outweighed by unintended harm to the
environment, and to eliminate the potential for pollution and waste of the Earth's limited
resources.

2. Pollution prevention
When addressing environmental issues, the traditional focus has often been on the control
and remediation of waste, with less emphasis placed on prevention--a reactive approach
that deals with problems after the fact. As shown in the figure below, a more effective
approach is to shift the emphasis to preventing pollution through sound engineering
choices at the beginning of the process. This will reduce the need for future control and
clean-up. The ultimate goal should be "zero garbage"--eliminating the waste stream
entirely.

Shifting the Emphasis

Control & Remediate Pollution Prevention

PREVENTION PREVENTION

SHIFT

CONTROL CONTROL

CLEAN UP CLEAN UP

React Anticipate

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Examples of activities that can reduce or prevent pollution include:

• Developing and incorporating new technology, materials, and methods which
have a reduced impact on the environment.
• Working with suppliers to identify ways of minimizing waste through rework,
reuse, and recycling, rather than disposal.
• Identifying materials that are hazardous, and substituting less-hazardous or non-
hazardous materials for hazardous ones.
• Limiting the quantities of hazardous materials that are bought and stored;
controlling the quantity issued to workers to reduce the amount of leftover
material; and properly managing inventory to reduce the amount which must be
discarded through expiration of the shelf life.
Specific areas of concern are addressed in detail in Section 5 of these Guidelines.

3. Cost versus benefit of "greening" ATON

There is a false impression that increasing environmental "friendliness" will always
increase the cost of doing ATON work. In fact, the result can be just the opposite--
engineering solutions that reduce the impact on the environment can actually reduce
ATON costs. Here are some examples:
• Converting from primary batteries to solar power systems generates considerable
savings through the increased reliability of the aids, the decrease in required
servicing visits, and the reduction of hazardous waste disposal.
• Distilling and reusing solvents saves money by reducing the amount of new
solvent that must be purchased and the amount of hazardous waste that must be
disposed of.
• Switching from high-VOC paints to more robust low-VOC paints on buoys
enhances their performance on station by extending the life of the signal color,
and thus decreases the need for costly and time-consuming repainting on station.
The monetary and non-monetary costs of not pursuing "green" alternatives can be much
higher for an organization. These can range from bad publicity, to financial liability, to
criminal prosecution. In particular, waste remediation and clean-up of a contaminated
site is a lengthy and expensive process. Even after a site has been restored, it may be
necessary to continue monitoring it on a long-term basis to ensure there is no continued
threat to the environment.

4. Environmental management
In order to truly "green" ATON activities, an ethic of environmental protection and
natural resources stewardship should be promulgated throughout the organization.
Environmental considerations should be made a part of all engineering, planning, and
decision- making. Environmental policies should be communicated to all employees,
managers, and stakeholders. All personnel should understand their role in supporting
these policies, and should receive proper training in this regard. Detailed information on

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how to implement an organization-wide environmental management system is available

through the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), in their ISO 14000
family of standards. When procuring products and services, Authorities are encouraged
to utilize suppliers that comply with ISO 14000 requirements.

5. Technical considerations
This section addresses specific areas of concern and potential solutions to minimize the
environmental impact of ATON equipment and activities.

5.1 Batteries
Batteries contain toxic and hazardous materials such as heavy metals, acids, and alkalis.
Disposing of them requires special handling, and leakage of these materials could harm
the environment. Batteries can enter the environment through accidental loss, vandalism,
or deliberate disposal. This creates a waste remediation problem in the water or on land
at an ATON site. If different types of battery and electrolyte are used, separate storage,
handling, and disposal of the different types is required. The following are ways to
minimize these problems:
• Switch from primary batteries to solar power systems with rechargeable
secondary batteries. Recycling of these batteries can often be done through the
battery supplier.
• Ensure that disposal of non-recyclable batteries is carried out by licensed
contractors or waste disposal authorities who provide documentation of proper
disposal at authorized waste facilities.
• Recycling and disposal should be carried out in a timely manner. Batteries should
not be allowed to accumulate in large quantities. Store the waste batteries in
appropriate containers which are secure, ventilated, and labelled according to
contents.
• Implement engineering solutions to minimize the chances of battery loss through
collisions or vandalism.
• Use specifications and technologies that minimize power consumption and
storage requirements.
• Consider using the available mains (commercial power), and carefully evaluate
whether backup battery systems are absolutely required.

5.2 Paints
Maintaining the service life of steel in a marine environment is an extreme challenge for
coatings. Many systems that have been used in the past (or are still in use) are now
recognized as being unfriendly to the environment--most notably, paints with lead or
other heavy metals, and those high in volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Lead presents
a removal hazard, a significant disposal expense, and it persists in the environment and
bio-accumulates in plants and animals. Hexavalent chromium is highly toxic to humans
and animals at very small doses. VOCs can cause serious health problems for workers

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and contribute to air pollution in the lower and upper reaches of the atmosphere. Marine-
grade paints (epoxies, polyurethanes) pose hazards to the unprotected applicator, and
antifouling paints by their very nature are toxic to marine life. The following solutions to
minimizing the environmental impact of paints involve the selection of appropriate
materials and reducing the disposal of waste paint:
• Select paints that have a long service life. This will reduce the frequency of
maintenance visits required for repainting, which will in turn save fuel and
minimize paint-related waste.
• Avoid paints containing heavy metals such as lead, chromium, or mercury.
• Select paints that are low in VOCs. Consider the use of waterborne, UV-curable,
high-solids, and powder coatings rather than traditional solvent-based coatings.
• Substitute other protective measures. Reduce the need for paint by the use of
alternative construction materials (e.g., plastics or corrosion-resistant steel) or
protective mechanisms (e.g., galvanizing, spray moralizing, cathodic protection
systems) in ATON design.
• Minimize the use of antifouling paint. Only use this type of paint if absolutely
required by the application. Explore alternatives to traditional antifouling paint,
such as "release" or “slippery” (abhesive) paints to which organisms don't stick.
• Paint indoors. Where feasible, utilize indoor painting facilities that have water
collection/separation and air filtering systems to prevent fumes and particulate
matter from entering the environment.
• Minimize waste paint disposal. The best method of reducing paint waste is to
carefully estimate how much product will be required for a particular application
so as to have little or nothing remaining for disposal. If paint is kept in stock,
attempt to use it before the storage life expiration date, and don't maintain so
much inventory that it expires before use. All this requires careful procurement,
stocking, and use practices, and conscientious inventory management. For
example, an inventory control system with a "first- in- first-out" (FIFO) policy will
reduce the amount of expired materials. Require a one- for-one exchange in which
workers must return an empty container in order to receive a new one. This will
control the number of open containers, and thus reduce the risk of spills,
contamination, and wasted materials. When waste paint must be disposed of,
segregate and classify the material by type, since some paints have characteristics
that make them more hazardous and expensive to dispose of (e.g., lead-based
paints) than other "safer" paints (e.g., acrylics). Label the containers according to
their contents and level of hazard, and store appropriately until disposal by an
authorized agent. Disposal should be carried out in a timely manner, and waste
paint should not be allowed to accumulate in large quantities.
• Extend paint shelf life. With regard to expired paint, it is better to use it if
possible than to dispose of it as waste. Most two-part epoxies can be properly
stored in ambient temperature conditions and remain functional for up to 10 years.
Water-based paint and oil-based paint can be stored at ambient conditions for

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three to five years. Previously opened cans of water-based and oil-based paints
are usually not suitable if stored for longer than one year. Previously opened cans
of unmixed two-part epoxy paint in good condition may still be good after three to
four years in storage. However, it is important to consult the paint supplier to
ensure a given product will remain functional before extending the shelf life in
this manner.
• Prevent and contain spills. Use appropriate paint storage containers that are
labeled correctly, and monitor for leaks. While transporting vats and pails, make
sure provisions have been made to catch spillages. Provide ditches, bunds, or
other measures in work and storage areas to contain any leakage or spillage.
After cleaning up spills, store the waste paint, clean-up rags, and other materials
in properly- labeled containers prior to disposal by an authorized agent.

5.3 Solvents
Problems with the use of solvents include the release of VOCs into the atmosphere, and
the disposal of waste material. These issues can be addressed as follows:
• Reuse solvents. This reduces the amount of new solvent that must be purchased
and the amount of hazardous waste that must be disposed of. One option is to
utilize distilling equipment to recycle dirty solvents fo r continuous reuse.
Commercially available self-contained recycling units can recover 85% or more
of waste solvent and make it into reusable solvent, with the remainder being waste
sludge that must be disposed of. However, this sludge is a significantly smaller
quantity of waste than would be the case with having to dispose of entire barrels
of waste solvent. Even without distilling equipment, recycling of solvent is
possible. When cleaning spray guns and lines, store the dirty solvent for several
days to allow the pigment and resin to settle out, then separate the paint fines by
pouring off the solvent for reuse. Solvents used for final wash during equipment
cleaning can also be reused as paint thinner.
• Pre-clean parts. Wipe parts with rags or blow compressed air before applying
liquid or vapor degreasing solvents. This can reduce the amount of solvent
required and extend the life of degreasing solutions. Cold cleaning with mineral
spirits can also help reduce solvents by removing grease before vapor degreasing.
• Cover degreasing baths when not in use to reduce solvent losses to the air.
• Substitute water-based solvents when possible to replace organic solvents.
• Prevent and contain spills. Use appropriate solvent storage containers that are
labeled correctly, and monitor for leaks. While transporting vats and pails, make
sure provisions have been made to catch spillages. Provide ditches or other
measures in work and storage areas to contain any leakage or spillage. After
cleaning up spills, store the waste solvent, clean- up rags, and other materials in
properly- labeled containers prior to disposal by an authorized agent.

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• Disposal should be carried out in a timely manner, and solvents should not be
allowed to accumulate in large quantities. Label the waste solvent containers and
store appropriately until disposal by an authorized agent.

5.4 Blast cleaning

This process can have negative environmental impacts in terms of solid waste (paint
residue, used blast grit) and air emissions (dust from blasting). The following measures
can help mitigate these problems:
• Switch to recyclable blasting media. Material like sand and coal slag generate
considerable solid waste and airborne dust, and are normally "one time use" grits
that are not recyclable. By contrast, abrasives such as aluminum oxide, garnet,
and cast iron can usually be recycled five to seven times. Steel grit can be
recycled up to twenty times.
• Blast indoors. Where feasible, utilize an enclosed, indoor steel grit blasting
system in which the grit is continuously recycled. The only waste generated is the
relatively small amount of paint chips and other debris that is automatically
filtered out through a separator for disposal, and airborne dust is contained within
the facility.
• Use cont ainment when blasting outdoors. When blasting must be done outdoors,
such as when work is done on a lighthouse, build scaffolding around the parts to
be blasted and cover with a containment barrier from top to bottom. This will
keep most of the harmful dust in, after which it can be swept up and disposed of
in a proper manner. Consider using portable blasters which have a grit recycling
capability.
• Disposal of blast waste should be carried out in a timely manner, and this material
should not be allowed to accumulate in large quantities. Label the waste
containers and store appropriately until disposal by an authorized agent.

5.5 Fuel
The most common type of fuel in the ATON field is diesel, which is used in vessels and
generators. This material can accidentally spill and require cleanup. It can become
contaminated and require disposal. Its fumes pollute the air, and its exhaust contains
sooty emissions. Similar problems can also be encountered with other types of fuel (e.g.,
gasoline). The following are measures that can be taken to minimize these problems:
• Switch to solar, commercial power, or other renewable energy sources (e.g.,
wind) whenever possible.
• When using continuously operating diesel generators, consider converting these to
cycling ge nerators which charge batteries as the main source of power.
• Implement measures to prevent and contain spills. Tank leakage may lead to
costly soil cleanup operations. Generally, it is better to place tanks above ground
than to bury them underground, since leaks in underground tanks are more
difficult to observe. The space beneath the above-ground tank should be designed

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in such a way that leaking fuel will flow to a collection and containment area. A
commonly used protection against leakage is the double tank. Leak detectors can
be installed on the outer tank to detect leaks in the inner tank. Tanks and other
systems related to fuel storage should be inspected at appropriate intervals.
Containers for transporting the diesel fuel should be strong enough to withstand a
reasonable amount of mishandling.
• Tank filling must be done carefully. Electric overfill detectors are commonly
used to automatically stop filling before overfilling occurs. The equipment should
be designed for ease of use to avoid spilling. If the diesel fuel is very cold, the
tank should not be filled up completely, since the diesel will expand when it
warms up.
• Have spillage handling procedures in place. For high-risk areas, consider keeping
spillage absorbent material on site.
• Attach a filter to the engine exhaust to reduce the particulate emissions.
• Check whether cleaner fuel is available in your region.
• Service engines regularly.
• Disposal of residual waste (e.g., absorbents, filters, fuel containers, waste oil)
should be carried out in a timely manner, and this material should not be allowed
to accumulate in large quantities. Label the waste containers and store
appropriately until disposal by an authorized agent.

5.6 Synthetic buoys and moorings

Some synthetic buoy materials do not lend themselves to recycling, or may be mixed
together in a way that makes it impossible to separate them for recycling at the end of
their useful life. Materials of this type must be disposed of as industrial waste. This
creates extra cost, and most of these materials will not degrade after they have been
deposited in the landfill. Some materials create toxic air emissions when they are cut up
or burned. Old synthetic moorings that are discarded on site could present a tangling
hazard to marine life, or foul the propellers of passing vessels. Solutions to these issues
would include the following:
• Utilize buoys and moorings made from materials that are fully recyclable. Pay
attention to the fact that materials that are perfectly recyclable by themselves may
become impossible to recycle if they are joined in an inseparable way (e.g., a
polyethylene buoy shell with tightly adhering polyurethane foam filling).
• Consider the availability of recycling options before selecting a product. Ask the
manufacturer about "cradle-to-grave" support for their products; i.e., whether they
are willing to take back old products for proper disposal or recycling.
• Select buoys that can be refurbished. Too often, synthetic buoys are considered a
disposable commodity. More durable buoys that can be refurbished instead of
discarded lead to less frequent replacement and therefore a smaller waste stream.

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• Install and utilize equipment on servicing vessels to recover synthetic moorings

rather than disposing of them on site.

5.7 Lamps
Marine lamps may contain elements that are dangerous to the environment, and thus
create problems when lost or disposed of. Sodium and neon lamps are not ozone
friendly, and also require special handling and disposal. Here are suggestions for
minimizing these issues:
• Use lamps that are made of inert materials (e.g., krypton gas with tungsten
filaments) that can be disposed of as standard waste.
• Select lamps with a longer service life. As an example, metal halide lamps
provide 45 times the lumen hours as incandescent lamps, so relamping and lamp
disposal can be performed less often. LED light sources are another option to be
considered.
• Recycle. Lamps can often be recycled or disposed of through the manufacturer or
a licensed contractor.

5.8 Mercury
There are a variety of health hazards associated with mercury. These are particularly
serious in the event of a fire, or for personnel engaged in mercury maintenance and clean-
up operations. Sources of mercury include lantern bearing baths in lighthouses, the
residual contamination in surrounding areas from these baths or from leaking storage
containers, certain electrical relays and control gear, and some types of primary batteries.
The following actions can be taken to deal with issues related to mercury:
• Use mercury- free batteries.
• Phase out mercury-containing relays and return the ones currently in use to the
manufacturer for recycling when they are no longer serviceable.
• Evaluate the area to determine the presence of residual mercury.
• Provide adequate fire safety signage that points out the presence of mercury.
• Use licensed contractors to clean equipment and dispose of contaminated waste.
• Design-out mercury bearings.
• Decontaminate structures.
• Store clean mercury in well- ventilated areas. Use appropriate containers.
• Disposal of mercury-related waste should be carried out in a timely manner, and
this material should not be allowed to accumulate in large quantities. Label the
waste containers and store appropriately in a well- ventilated area until disposal by
an authorized agent.

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5.9 Asbestos
Asbestos has been used in ATON facilities to varying degrees and over varying periods
of time in different Authorities. The primary source of ATON-related asbestos would be
in lighthouses or associated structures. Applications can include items such as pipe
lagging, shingles, siding, and wall board. When it is intact, asbestos in good condition
poses little hazard. However, if this material is sanded, cut, torn, or damaged, hazardous
airborne fibers may be generated and remain suspended in the air for long periods of
time. Inhaling these fibers can lead to chronic and deadly diseases. Here are suggestions
for dealing with asbestos:
• Asbestos should never be used in new installations.
• For existing structures and equipment, surveys should be conducted to establish
where asbestos and asbestos containing products have been used. Based on such
surveys, a specific management plan should be introduced to register and control
the disturbance of installed asbestos or asbestos-containing products or to remove
them under controlled conditions.

5.10 Electric and electronic devices

Authorities are encouraged to classify and separate the waste (including used wires) in a
selective way to facilitate recycling and disposal through an authorized agent (e.g.,
separate copper, aluminum, plastics, etc.).

5.11 Noise pollution

The primary source of ATON-related noise pollution comes from electric fog horns,
which can disturb nearby residents if left running continuous ly in all visibility conditions.
Diesel and wind generators can also be a disturbing noise source. The following are
ways to address these problems:
• Install fog detectors to turn on the fog horns only when visibility falls below a
predetermined threshold.
• If possible, plug the foghorn to focus the sound in one direction, and thus
minimize noise to the surrounding areas.
• Erect a baffling system around the horn.
• To reduce the noise from diesel generators, install acoustic isolation around the
engine she lter and use improved muffler systems.
• For wind generators, address the problem through proper site selection to reduce
the noise impact on neighbors, and use the most quiet system available.

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5.12 Light pollution

This is a problem that sometimes occurs with lighthouses, when the light disturbs
surrounding residents. It can be dealt with by “Blacking out” the lantern panes that face
toward shore, either through painting them black or installing black panels.

5.13 Impact on marine life and habitats

ATON equipment and maintenance activities can generate pollution in marine habitats,
and can interfere with or harm animals, plants, and birdlife. Batteries are sometimes
disposed of on-site. Synthetic line sometimes gets abandoned instead of recovered.
Different types of spills occur (e.g., diesel fuel, sewage, concrete while building
lighthouse foundations on site). Biocide-based antifouling paint on buoys is toxic to
marine life. Migratory birds nest on some stations, making it problematic to service the
ATON witho ut disturbing the nests. Servicing vessels may hurt marine animals while
working in their habitat. Deploying and retrieving submarine cable and buoy moorings,
and installing ATON structures, can disturb the seafloor or impact sensitive
environments. ATON may be situated in areas where rare or protected flora and fauna
are found. It is sometimes necessary to clear trees and brush when ATON structures
become obscured. The following are ways to minimize the environmental impact of
ATON activities:
• When ATON is required in protected or especially sensitive areas, consult with
environmental stakeholders and develop compatible solutions. For example, an
ATON structure could be designed to also serve as a bird observatory.
• Extend the maintenance intervals to the greatest extent possible through
engineering design solutions or changes in policy. This will minimize the
frequency of intrusive servicing visits in marine habitats.
• Schedule maintenance visits to avoid nesting, spawning, and mating periods.
• Shut down wind generators and switch to secondary power systems on the days of
extensive bird migration.
• Implement measures to discourage nesting on ATON equipment. For example,
build separate, higher nesting platforms on ATON structures or add extensio ns on
lantern stands to keep birds from nesting on the signal equipment itself.
• Choose ATON equipment that has less potential for environmental damage; e.g.,
use solar power versus primary batteries, diesel, or submarine cable.
• Minimize the impact of the servicing boat's presence: limit the speed to reduce
the wake, pay attention to where you anchor, don't leave the engine running.
• Reduce the application of antifouling paint, or use non-biocide alternatives.
• Seek out access roads and methods that have the least impact on the environment.
• Leave nothing behind. Bring back old batteries, broken ATON equipment, partial
cans of paint, etc. Clean up spills immediately.

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• Perform concrete work at a yard on shore if possible, rather than pouring on site.
• Know the environment you'll be working in. Understanding the habitat will help
to avoid harmful mistakes during the planning and execution of ATON activities.
If appropriate, rehabilitate the project site after work is complete. Pay particular
attention to restoring the correct vegetation; i.e., indigenous versus invasive
plants. Some countries have a practice of conserving part of the original
vegetation in a nursery during project execution, for replanting after the work is
done.

5.14 Contaminated land

Environmental restoration refers to a comprehensive effort to identify and remediate past
hazardous waste sites at ATON locations. These properties could have contaminated
groundwater, surface water, soil or air. The contamination could have come from
numerous sources, including operations or processes carried out by the Authority
currently or in the past; operations or processes carried out by previous property owners
such as military organizations or industrial concerns; or from the property of adjacent
landowners. In addition to the largely invisible contaminants, there could be an issue
with larger items of junk, which are not only an eyesore but may be leaching
contaminants such as PCBs, lead, or hydrocarbons into the ground and ground water.
Here are ways to handle land contamination:
• Avoid contamination legacies by taking preventive measures now.
• Identify past activities in order to determine likely contaminants.
• The order in which the Authority conducts restoration and cleanup activities may
be based on a "worst-first" scenario that assigns the highest and most immediate
priority to those facilities representing the greatest hazard to the environment and
to public health and welfare. Some of the criteria used to assign priority could be:
imminent and substantial danger to public health or welfare; anticipated danger in
the near-term from potential accident, deterioration or failure of safeguards while
attempting cleanup or restoration; an ongoing condition with unknown, but
potentially serious health consequences unless action is taken; and legally-binding
agreements with regulatory agencies.

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