There are many sources of water pollution. One of the biggest sources of water pollution that water transportation contributes to is oil spills. These come mainly from oil tankers. One of the first and worst oil spills in history was when the oil tanker Exxon Valdez ran aground on March 24, 1989 by Alaska. 

Another huge way that boats pollute the water is when someone takes their boat onto the water for a ride. The boat creates pollution that can be harmful to all life forms. When the boats engine is running it gives off pollution into the water. This pollution comes from the fumes out of the engines exhaust, and excess gasoline comes out of the engine as well. According to Novi Meadows Elementary there are some ways that we can help cut down on the pollution that boats give off.

• Only turn a boat engine on all the way when you need to.
• Don't take your boat out into the water if you don't need to.
• Be sure to store and transport gasoline in places where there isn't any direct sunlight because the gasoline will evaporate, and all of the gases that have been evaporated will pollute the air.
• Every year, buy new or cleaner marine engines for your boats.