Boater Guidelines Offered

From January, 1995 (update #23)

MADISON, Wis.- Although photos of zebra mussel-encrusted boat engines have been widely distributed, few Wisconsin boat dealers and marina operators have reported mussel-related problems to Wisconsin Sea Grant personnel. To find out more, ZMU called two major engine manufacturer "help lines." A Mercury Marine Technical Services Help-Line Operator named Mike said he has never heard of zebra mussels causing problems in outboard motors. However, Mercury Marine offers the following general advice for all outboard engine users: (1) Flush the cooling system after each use; and (2) Wax the outboard engine regularly. You can flush the cooling water system, he said, with a garden hose and "Engine Earmuffs," which are available from local dealers for around $10. For more information, call Mercury Marine at (414) 929-5000. A Mercruisers Technical Services Help-Line Operator named Alan Fila said he has never heard of zebra mussel-inflicted damage to inboard engines, though he has received calls from customers asking how to remove zebra mussels from engine cooling water intakes. When ZMU called Fila in late October, he said he had received four calls this year, 60 in 1993, and well over 100 in 1992. Fila said he keeps a file on zebra mussels, and Mercruisers has put out an internal memo for technical services representatives telling them how to handle zebra mussel questions. For more information, call Mercruisers at (405) 743-6566.

ID: 199501-18.

The Zebra Mussel Update was a 4- to 8-page quarterly national newsletter published by the University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute from May 1990 through May 1997. The ZMU documented the spread of the zebra mussel -- an exotic nuisance mussel -- through North America's freshwater environments, especially the Great Lakes, and on efforts to control it.