51 
such:spills can cover large areas with oil, making the waters and 
shore unsuitable for recreation and often affecting some of the 
natural biota. New York and New Jersey are currently participa- 
ting with Federal agencies in the Regional Contingency Plan for 
Oil and Other Hazardous Materials to combat the effects of these 
"oil spills." Spills of toxic or hazardous chemicals being 
transported by vessels may occasionally create extremely serious 
pollution problems. Similarly, spills from storage areas on land 
can also create serious problems. 
While accidental spills from any given vessel or industry 
may be infrequent, the sum total of toxic materials entering the 
water from such) incidents represents a significant source of pol- 
lution in the New York Bight. Better housekeeping practices, 
routine inspections, and the threat of legal action have sub- 
stantially reduced pollution from this source but it is still 
a serious problem. 
5. Vessel discharges: 
Vessel pollution is, or potentially can be, a serious 
hazard in any harbor and coastal waterway. It may consist of 
sanitary waste discharges, litter, shipping accidents, and oil 
products, including outboard motor exhaust. 
Sanitary wastes can represent the greatest health hazard 
from vessels particularly from the standpoint of pathogenic bac- 
teria. Luxury liners in the New York Harbor complex are small 
floating cities discharging raw sewage into the water. Although 
enforcement of New York State regulations prohibiting the dis- 
charge of sanitary wastes into its waters will begin in the spring 
of 1970, no marked improvement is likely until adequate ship or 
shore facilities are fully operational. 
Litter dumped overboard from commercial and recreational 
vessels also pollutes. Much of this material includes plastic 
food wrappings and glass, metal, and waxed liquid containers. 
These items have a long life and often float up on the beaches 
causing deterioration of the aesthetic quality of the environment. 
Unconsumed fuel from outboard motors discharged directly 
into the water can represent a substantial contribution to water 
pollution. In Puget Sound, for example, the estimated oil 4/ 
pollution from this source in 1968 exceeded, by at least several 
thousand barrels, the sum total of reported oil spills--14,000 
barrels. In estuarine areas and lakes with restricted circula- 
tion, concentration of hydrocarbon residues from outboard motors 
may reach levels detrimental to the natural biota. 
4/ Robert C. Clark, Bureau of Commercial Fisheries Biological 
Laboratory, Seattle, Washington 
28 
