If you spot the Newport Hornblower in San Diego Bay and are wondering about its distinctive multi-colored paint job, it’s standing out for a reason.

The vessel just began a second-round of testing for copper-free hull paints. In fact, since 2009, the Newport has served as a testing platform and has participated in the Port’s alternative hull paint testing and research efforts to find effective alternatives to copper-based hull paints.

Thirteen boat owners were publicly honored by the Board of Port Commissioners for their assistance with an alternative boat hull paint study. The owners volunteered their vessels and their time in the "Safer Alternatives to Copper-based Antifouling Paint" project that was designed to assist the Port with reducing the level of copper in San Diego Bay.

The goal of the project, funded by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), was to evaluate alternative coatings to determine if they could be applied and cleaned in a manner similar to commonly used copper hull paints. The alternative coatings also had to be cost-effective.

The Port is underway in Phase two of its EPA Grant Project - testing alternative paints on boat hulls. Starting in April, ten of the top performing paints identified in the panel tests were applied to boat hulls. Currently there are 12 boats participating in the study, two boats are included as duplicates. 

The paint application process was a success - largely in part to the efforts and contributions  of our local boatyards. The Project Team increased their understanding of the hull paint application process. A highlight of this was having the opportunity to see some new stripping technologies. Additionally, we gained valuable insight into how tie coats, primers, and painting techniques, such as spraying and rolling factor into the overall cost of the alternative paints.  

The Port of San Diego has taken a leadership role to eliminate the use of copper-based paint on the hulls of recreational boats in San Diego Bay. The goal is to preserve marine life and water quality in the bay.

The Board of Port Commissioners on December 1, 2009 passed a resolution stating its commitment to achieve reductions in copper levels within or in advance of regulatory requirements set by the Regional and State Water Quality Control Boards. Regulations call for an incremental copper reduction of 10 percent by 2012.

The San Diego Unified Port District (Port) is seeking parties interested in assisting us in identifying options for addressing copper problems in San Diego Bay marinas which are associated with boat hull coatings. Specifically, the Port is seeking parties interested in: developing non-toxic boat hull coatings; submitting innovative replacements for copper-bearing coating; and/or recommending concepts that can reduce or eliminate copper leachate from impacting marine life in the area. The Port is requesting letters of interest from parties having experience with non-toxic hull coatings, hull coating application, or other experience related to non-copper hull coatings for recreational boat use. 

THE SUBMITTAL DEADLINE HAS CLOSED (due at 4:00pm PST on July 31, 2009). 

The complete Request for Information package is available.