Invasive Species threaten seaplane access to waterways. Seaplane pilots need to understand this issue and what they can do to be good neighbors. Proactively abiding by practices that prevent propagating  invasive species is our best defense against future waterway restrictions. 

AOPA/SPA Invasive Species Awareness Video

Print this and use as reference during your pre-flight.

Watch this YouTube video about seaplane invasive species inspection.

 “Don’t Move a Mussel”,
   watch this YouTube to learn why it is important.

Oregon Sate Marine Board has a new permit required for all boats over 10 feet in length, including canoes and kayaks.

Seaplanes are exempt and do not require the $5 permit. However, seaplane pilots should be aware of and support  the program. Click the OSMB logo to the left for more information.

Most importantly, seaplane pilots must check their floats each time before takeoff to prevent transporting invasive species from one body of water to another.

User Specific Prevention Procedures: Seaplane pilots

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Seaplanes can transport Aquatic Hitchhiker species between water bodies on their floats. It is important to clean the aircraft and remove all plant fragments or attached mussels before traveling, rather than after landing in new waters. Pilots are advised to include these steps into their flight operations. As always, safety is the first priority when using the guidelines.

• Before entering the aircraft –
  • Inspect/remove plants from floats, wires or cables, and water rudders;
  • In infested water, check transom, bottom, chine, wheel wells, and float step area.
  • Pump water from floats.
  • Use these methods to kill aquatic hitchhiker species:
    • Wash/spray floats with hot or high-pressure water;
    • Dry for 5 days.
• Before takeoff –
  • Do not taxi through heavy aquatic plant growth prior to takeoff;
  • Raise and lower water rudders to clear off plants, minimize cable stretch and improve steering effectiveness.
• After takeoff –
  • Raise/lower water rudders several times to free aquatic plant fragments while over the waters you are leaving or land;
  • If aquatic plants remain visible on the plane, return and remove them.
• Storage or Mooring –
  • Remove aircraft from the water and allow parts to dry. Summer temperatures will kill adult zebra mussels (longer time is required for cool, humid weather);
  • Aircraft moored for extended periods may have mussels attached and should be cleaned regularly. In remote locations, zebra mussels or other aquatic hitchhiker species may be present. If no cleaning equipment is available, the best prevention option is to hand-clean the submerged floats with a scrub brush and to physically remove any attached life.

Here is a fantastic web-site describing all of the Invasive Species of concern.

Zebra and Quagga Mussel Lake Distribution by State

Click this header to see a PDF of the Invasive Species in our area.

Washington Department of Ecology Plant Watch List

Seaplane Pilot Association perspective on Invasive Species.

New regulations for boaters go into effect…

Here is what Unites States Department of the Interior recommends for Measures for the Prevention of Zebra and Quagga Mussel Migration