SEAPLANES
Seaplanes can spread aquatic nuisance species. If you operate a seaplane, do your part to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasives by following these procedures:
Before entering the watercraft:
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Inspect and remove all aquatic plants or attached mussels, snails or other animals from all exterior surfaces of floats, wires, cables, transoms, spreader bars and rudders.
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To the extent practical pump, remove or otherwise treat (rinse with 140 °F water) all water from floats, wheel wells and any other compartments or areas of the aircraft that can contain or maintain raw water.
Before takeoff:
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Taxi clear of any aquatic plants.
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Re-inspect for any visual sign of aquatic vegetation.
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Raise and lower rudders several times or otherwise remove any aquatic vegetation.
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Make sure all floats remain as dry internally as possible during takeoff.
After takeoff:
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Raise and lower rudders several times to free any remaining aquatic vegetation while over the departing waterbody or over dry land.
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If aquatic plants persist and are still visible on floats, cables or rudders, return to the same waterbody and manually remove them.
Storage and mooring:
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Remove aircraft from the water whenever practical to better facilitate self-inspection, drainage, removal, cleaning and drying.
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Maintain floats and hulls to make sure they remain water tight; including sealing seams, replacing gaskets on inspection covers and repairing any cracks.
Other Resources
Aquatic Nuisance Species Inspection Procedures For Amphibious Aircraft (Western Regional Panel, 2020)
Invasive Aquatic Plants and Floatplane Operations: Help prevent new infestations (2013)
