Is your boat a member of the lonely boats club? Have you visited it lately? Or has it sat neglected all winter long? Worse yet, is there a chance your boat could be on the brink of sinking?

Last year, 51 boats were reported sinking in Washington waters; unfortunately, there is probably a boat sinking right now. (See a list at www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/spills/spills.html.)

When boats sink, fuel, oil, grease, solvents and other pollutants often get spilled to state waters. As little as a quart of spilled oil, diesel or gasoline can contaminate acres of water and can prove deadly to marine life.

Under new state law, the penalty for allowing oil and other petroleum products to spill to water has increased fivefold. A negligent boat owner could face a fine of up to $100,000 a day. Additionally, boat owners are responsible for spill clean-up costs and for the expense of restoring damages done to the natural resources.

When boats are left unattended for a while, a lot of things can go wrong: bilge pumps can quit working; boat hulls, propeller shafts, out-drives, and rudder areas can leak; electrical shortages can cause a fire; and accumulated rain or snow can flood the boat.

Report all fuel and oil spills by calling (800) OILS-911 and the U.S. Coast Guard at (800) 424-8802.

Reporting is mandatory and fines can increase for failing to notify state and federal authorities about a spill.