Anti-fouling and Boat Maintenance

The Merchant Shipping (Anti-Fouling Systems) Regulations 2024 apply to UK ships and to other ships in UK waters. Current MCA guidance lists organotin compounds acting as biocides and cybutryne as prohibited substances: organotin compounds must not be applied or reapplied, and a ship must not apply or reapply an anti-fouling system containing cybutryne. Older non-compliant systems can also create removal, barrier-coating or documentary questions that should be resolved with the yard, product record or MCA guidance rather than guessed.

For routine yacht work, use a product permitted for the boat and waters, follow its label and safety information, and keep purchase or application records. More biocide is not automatically better protection. Hull material, existing coating, intended water, launching schedule and local yard controls all affect the correct preparation and product choice.

The RYA's practical maintenance rule is Protect, Collect, Dispose. Use the yard's designated area, ground protection and extraction or wet methods specified for the job; collect scrapings, sanding dust and contaminated consumables; then use the yard or local waste route. Do not let rain, sweeping or wash-down carry residues into surface drains or the water, and do not assume a marina bin accepts hazardous paint waste.