Got a Boat?

The County of Orange coordinates a FREE Bilge Pad Exchange Program for the local boating community. No matter what activities you enjoy on the water, the ocean is always best when it is free of pollution.

The bilge is the lowest part of a boat’s hull where the in-board engine is located. Water can seep into the hull and collect in this area. This water can often become contaminated with oil and fuel that has leaked from the engine. Boats can spew oil and fuel into the water every time the bilge pump comes on.

When used properly, bilge pads can greatly reduce the amount of petroleum products in the bilge water before the bilge water is discharged back into the ocean.

This program is open to everybody with a non-commercial vessel. If you are a boater or a mechanic and use bilge pads routinely o while doing maintenance, you are encouraged to visit a participating Bilge Pad Exchange location in any Orange County harbor to get a new bilge pad and dispose of your used pads FREE. 

1. Never discharge contaminated bilge water into the harbors or ocean.
2. Use bilge pads or other absorbents to soak up oil, ATF and/or fuel.
3. Take the used, contaminated pads back to a participating Bilge Pad Exchange location for proper disposal.
4. Visit Household Hazardous Waste Collection Centers to recycle or properly dispose of other hazardous waste, learn more at: Household Hazardous Waste | OC Waste & Recycling (oclandfills.com

• Huntington Harbor:
  • Sunset Aquatic Marina: 2901-A Edinger Ave
  • Maxum Marine Fuels: 15922 Pacific Coast Highway
• Newport Harbor:
  • Hill’s Boat Service*: 814 E. Bay Ave
  • Island Marine Fuel*: 406 S. Bay Front
  • Balboa Yacht Basin: 829 Harbor Island Dr.
• Dana Point Harbor:
  • The Marina at Dana Point: 24500 Dana Point Harbor Dr
  • The Marina at Dana Point:
    • Pickup Pads at: 34555 Casitas Place
    • Drop off Used Pads at: 25098 Dana Dr.
  • Embarcadero at Dana Point: 34512 Embarcadero Place
  • Dana Point Fuel Dock*: 34661 Puerto Place

*Also Accepts Used Motor Oil and Used Oil Filters