1. Watercraft 101, Inspection and Decontamination
New Mexico Dept. Game & Fish Aquatic Invasive Species
Watercraft 101, Inspection and Decontamination
You do not have to be an expert on boats to be a good ANS inspector. However, learning some basic boat anatomy and terminology is very important to be able to communicate with the boater and other inspectors, as well as help you intercept infested watercraft. In this section we will go over some common terminology, propulsion systems, three categories of boats, unique features and where to look for ANS.

2. The Basics

3. Gets Complicated

4. Marine Propulsion Systems
Trolling Motors
Electric
Gasoline
Inboard/Outboard Engines (I/O)
Outboard Motors
Inboard Engines
Jet Engines
There are several different types of propulsion systems that can be found on a watercraft. Everyone needs to know the definitions for each of the ones listed and differences between them.
Trolling motor can be electric or gasoline and are used for moving quietly and slowly through the water
Outboard motors are attached to the transom of the boat and are housed entirely outside of the boat
Inboard/Outboard or I/O engines have the lower unit outside of the boat while the engine is housed inside the boat.
Inboard engines have the entire engine located inside the boat with only a prop and prop shaft external to the boat
Jet engines intake water under the boat which is then forced through an impeller and out of the ‘jet’ that steers and powers the watercraft

5. Through hull fitting
Transducer
Cooling intakes
Gimbal Area

6. Through-Hull
Fittings
Inboard/Outboard (I/O)
Hull
Prop
Pilot Tube
Bunks
Transducer
Trim Tabs
Bilge Drain Plug
Trailer

7. Inspections

8. Where am I looking? Rough areas or right angled locations
On dark colored surfaces
In dark places
Below the water line
In compartments that hold water

9. Outboard Motors
TRAINERS - Take the time to review each area named on the slide with the students and have them write them all down in their books.

10. Inboard / Outboard (I/O)
TRAINERS - Take the time to review each area named on the slide with the students and have them write them all down in their books.

11. Jet Engines

12. Watercraft Risk Assessment
Hand-launched
Simple Boats
Complex Boats
Not all boats pose the same risk of spreading ANS. In the next few slides we will talk about different types of boats and the risk that they could carry ANS.

13. Watercraft Risk Watercraft Type Risk Level House Boats, Cabin Cruisers
Ski Boats and Wakeboard Boats with Ballast Tanks
Very High Biological Risk
Large Open Boats, Sailboats, Ski Boats and Wakeboard Boats with no ballast tanks, Personal Watercraft (PWC)
Medium to High Biological Risk
Simple Boats - Open Hull, Single Motors, No Interior Containers or Compartments
Low Biological Risk
Hand-launched, Non-Motorized Watercraft: Canoe, Kayak, Windsurfer Board, Paddle Board, Sail Board, Belly Boats, Rafts, Float Tubes and Inner Tubes
Very Low Biological Risk
As you can see, the more complex the watercraft and the greater ability to carry water (ballast), the risk increases.

14. Hand Launched Kayak Canoe Raft Windsurfer Paddle Boards Sailboard
Float Tubes
Inner Tubes
The eight boats exempt in regulation from inspection in Colorado are:
Kayaks
Canoes
Rafts
Belly boats
Windsurfer boards and paddle boards
Sailboards
Float tubes and
Inner tubes

15. Hand-Launched: No Trailer No Compartments No Motors or Engines
Typically Cleaned,
Drained & Dried
Exempt boats generally pose very low risk of carrying ANS. The following reasons make them very low risk:
Hand launched
No compartments
Typically no motors or engines
Typically do not stay still or anchor
Typically do not stay long on the water
Typically dry quickly
Allows access when inspectors aren’t present

16. A Simple Boat Open Hull AND No Containers or Compartments
Single Outboard or Motor
Simple boats generally pose a lower risk of risk of transporting ANS. Simple boats are defined as having an open hull, AND no containers or compartments, AND a single outboard motor.

17. A Complex Boat Closed Hull OR One or More Interior Compartments
One or more Motors or Engines
Complex boats can pose a moderate to very high risk of carrying ANS. Complex boats are defined as having closed hull, OR one or more compartments, OR more than one motor or engine. If one of those three things is true – the boat is complex.

18. You do not have to be an expert on boats to be a good ANS inspector
You do not have to be an expert on boats to be a good ANS inspector. However, learning some basic boat anatomy and terminology is very important to be able to communicate with the boater and other inspectors, as well as help you intercept infested watercraft. In this section we will go over some common terminology, propulsion systems, three categories of boats, unique features and where to look for ANS.

19. H.E.A.D. H – Hull and Trailer – Exterior E – Engine or Motor – Transom
A – Anchor, Anchor Rope and Equipment
D – Drain Interior Compartments
The H.E.A.D. acronym suggested by an inspector to help others remember the inspection procedure. It worked so well, we adopted it!
H- Hull and Trailer, or exterior
E- Engine or Motor and transom
A- Anchor, Anchor line and equipment, and
D- Drain interior compartments

20. Wakeboard Boats

21. Ballast Tanks or Bladders
Ballast tanks pose difficulties for inspections. They are often inaccessible and usually made of opaque plastic, making it impossible to check for water. The diagram demonstrates the position of most ballast tank drains and the remaining water as a result. This remaining water poses a problem as it could potentially be carrying mussel larva, pathogens or plant fragments.
Ballast bags are convenient as they are removable and one can verify they are drained by having the boater pick them up.
We will talk more about ballast tank towards the end of this module.

22. Ballast Tanks and Bags Ballast Tanks – A ballast tank is a compartment
7:13 AM
Ballast Tanks and Bags
Ballast Tanks – A ballast tank is a compartment
within a boat, ship or other floating
structure that holds water.
Bags – Ballast bags are
portable/removable bags that hold
ballast water. They can’t all be visually
Inspected to verify if they have water.
Ballast tanks add weight to boats to make big wakes. There can be more than one tank per boat and some are removable.
This diagram shows the cross section of a boat with two water ballast tanks. The placement of the tank drain allows water to
remain in the tank after the discharge pump has been activated.
Ballast bags can be visually inspected to verify if they hold water.

23. 7:13 AM
Pontoons
Pontoons float by means of two large, closed cylinders mounted lengthwise.
Typically simple to inspect because they ride high on trailers with motors in down position
However, many places to look under the trailer!
In very rare cases, damaged pontoons may have a leak in the cylinders and may carry unverifiable water and pose a safety risk
Pontoon boats float by means of two large, closed cylinders mounted lengthwise. They can be easy to inspect as they usually ride high on the trailer with the motor down. However, there are a lot of welded pieces and angles to look under the trailer. In few cases, the pontoons can be damaged and have water in the cylinders. This water poses a high risk of carrying and poses a safety risk of the boat sinking. If you discover water in a pontoon, they must go to a dealer and have the pontoon fixed before launching.

24. Pontoons Lots of small nooks and crannies underneath!
Notice mussels attached in an angled part of a pontoon next to some corrosion!

25. Personal Watercraft (PWC)
A PWC is a watercraft that the rider sits or stands on, rather than inside of.
Inboard jet with a screw shaped impeller that creates thrust for propulsion and steering.
Have the operator open cover in front of the handle bars and the seat over the motor during inspections.
1-2 bilge plugs on either side of the steering nozzle which need to be removed during inspection.
On the bottom of the hull is an
intake grate that must be inspected
for mussels, plant, mud or other
suspected AIS.
Personal Watercraft or PWC’s are watercraft that one or two riders sit or stand on. PWC’s have engines located under the seat which need to be inspected for water.
Jet engines intake water under the boat which is then forced through an impeller and out of the ‘jet’ that steers and powers the watercraft. You need to look carefully a the grate on the underside of the PWC and at the impeller. Most PWC’s also have storage towards the front and some may even have ballast tanks. Have the boater activate the jet 2-3 times to verify that it is drained.

26. Research Equipment

27. NO WATER NO MUD NO MUSSELS NO PLANTS EDUCATE
Goals
NO WATER
NO MUD
NO MUSSELS
NO PLANTS
EDUCATE
Assess Biological Risk
Reduce Biological Risk
All boats should be Clean, Drained and Dry in between launches. This means no water, no mud, no animals and no plants. If boats are not moving any of these, we have significantly reduced if not eliminated the risk of carrying invasive species on recreational watercraft. Remember to educate every boater to Clean, Drain, Dry! Do not assume they know!

28. What Are Inspector Priorities?
Safety!
Educate Boaters (Clean, Drain Dry!)
Perform Inspections using WIT & WID II Protocols!
Identify High Risk Watercraft
Drain Standing water
Decontaminate
As an inspector, there will be times that there may be a lot of vehicle and boater traffic, inclement weather, and special machinery and equipment when you are performing decontaminations. Safety for yourself and the public is always the number one priority.
It is also of the utmost importance to educate the public about invasive species and how they can stop the spread of ANS by keeping their gear and boats clean and dry.
Performing inspections and identifying which watercraft pose the highest risk is also very important to keep WIDS running efficiently and smoothly.
Finally, draining water and decontamination may be required to eliminate the risk of ANS.

29. Educate Don’t assume the boaters know!
Have them perform inspection with you
Request assistance opening compartments, etc.
Mention Clean, Drain, Dry and impacts of introduction
Provide website or other contact information

30. Where am I looking? Rough areas or right angled locations
On dark colored surfaces
In dark places
Below the water line
In compartments that hold water

31. Standard or Entrance Inspection
Roadside check station inspection procedure
Water Body Entrance Procedure
Procedure time will vary based on type and complexity of watercraft
Use Data Collector or Datasheet
Risk Assessment
Tactile Inspection
Visual Inspection
Auditory Inspection
Entrance inspections are performed prior to a boat launching on the water, or when it passes through a roadside check station, and is the same procedure whether you are working at a containment or prevention reservoir. Each inspection varies in time depending on the type and complexity of the boat. You will use the paper WID log or data collector for every inspection. Entrance inspections require you to assess the risk of that watercraft and requires you to look and feel for aquatic nuisance species.
Let’s go over the process step-by-step inspection procedure – this is the most important thing in this module.

32. High Risk Inspection Procedure
Watercraft identified as high biological risk during risk assessment interview
Entrance- 2 or more checkmarks in the Determining Risk Factors section for incoming watercraft
High risk inspections are performed when watercraft are identified as having a high biological risk of carrying ANS during an entrance or exit inspection. During entrance inspections, if the boat receives two or more checkmarks under the ‘determining risk factors’ section, the boat needs a high risk inspection.
Boats exiting containment waters MUST be inspected and are automatically a high risk inspection.
Be Ready to Inspect Further!
Take extra time to give a 2nd look

33. Identifying High Risk Factors
Arrving from out of state
Boated in positive or suspect waters in the last 30 days
Dirty, crusty or slimy
Complex boat
Standing water on the boat
Remember high risk factors are:
Boats that have launched out of state within thirty days
Boats that have launched in positive or suspect waters within thirty days
Dirty, crusty or slimy boats
Complex boats and
Standing water in the boat

34. Data Collection Data Collection is very important! Electronic
Paper Records
Mobile app:
Website entry:
Regardless of whether your site has electronic capacities or take data down on paper, data collection is very important and must be done accurately. Record keeping is based on the inspection protocol.
While performing inspections, you will be recording information such as date and time, boat and trailer registration, risk factors and types of procedures performed.
Trainer – go through the log with them now. Do this quickly as an introduction and overview to step by step procedures. Don’t get into all the details now or you will lose your audience. This is a good, quick, brief introduction to what you will be teaching later in this module.

35. Decontamination

36. When do we Decontaminate?
High risk watercraft or equipment
Standing water
Aquatic vegetation
Visible Zebra or Quagga Mussels
Visited positive water and
Has not been hot water decontaminated
Watercraft, barges, cranes, wildfire equipment

37. Types of Decontamination
Standing Water Decontamination
Plant Decontamination
Full Decontamination

38. Why Decontaminate
To Safely and Efficiently KILL and REMOVE zebra or quagga mussel adults or veligers, or other suspect ANS, from a watercraft.

39. Gear Several manufactures Mobile Units Stationary Units High pressure
Low Pressure
Hot water
Multiple tools

40. Requirements Hot Water Only No bleaches, soaps or chemicals
Low pressure to kill
High pressure to remove from the exterior
Flush sensitive equipment areas (gimble area, decals)
Flush bilge lines, ballast tanks (3 minute hold time)
Minimum 140oF (at the nozzle) rinse for 10 seconds to kill adult mussels Morse, 2009
95oF kills veligers Craft and Myrick, 2011
psi
5 gallons/minute

41. Requirements 120oF ballast tanks, live wells, tanks 140oF engine/motor
3 minutes

42. Decontamination Priorities
Liability Waiver
Safety
Education
Kill AIS
Remove AIS
Report
Documentation
Re-Inspect
Certify
Don’t feel rushed . Inform watercraft owner that this will take some time

43. Questions?