anchoring permit help

Stu Jackson · May 18, 2010

Have you tried discussing this with recboats of California?

Lee Coller · May 18, 2010

Wow, whoever wrote that knows nothing about boating Prohibitions include:

B. Pump or otherwise discharge the content of the bilge of any vessel into any waterway;

also

8.40.080 Sanitation.
Vessels possessing a valid permit shall discharge sewage at an authorized pump-out station at least every four days in a manner that complies fully with all applicable regulations. (Ord. 00-4 § 4 (part))

8.40.090 Sanitation log.
Vessels possessing a valid permit shall submit a sanitation log documenting compliance with this chapter to the West Sacramento police department upon request. (Ord. 00-4 § 4 (part))

So much for having guests drop by:

8.40.100 Attached vessels.
A vessel possessing a valid permit, while anchored in any waterway, may have no more than one other vessel attached to it; provided, however, that additional vessels may be attached if otherwise permitted by law and if each additional vessel possesses a valid permit. (Ord. 00-4 § 4 (part))

catsailor · May 18, 2010

vallejo 55 said:
I need both help and advice. The city of West Sacramento has an anchoring permit process that is impossible to pass. Several of us with anchored boats have tried but been denied. Even finding the city of West Sac. anchoring codes is difficult.
The city of West Sacramento is even trying to implement there own Marine Sanitation Device codes. CA. Harbor and Navigation code 775 state that cities and counties may not modify or implement their own MSD codes.
If you like to view the W.S. anchoring code.
Google City of West Sacramento
Click city hall
Departments
Police
Code enforcement
Health and Safety
Chapter 8.40
Please we need help.
lwsailboat@hotmail.com

8.40.010 Pollution—Anchoring and mooring.
It is unlawful for any person to do any of the following within the territorial jurisdiction of the city of West Sacramento:
A. Dump, throw or discharge sewage, garbage or any other material defined by any state or federal law as one which poses a risk to human health or safety into any waterway;
B. Pump or otherwise discharge the content of the bilge of any vessel into any waterway;
C. Anchor or moor any vessel that is not seaworthy on any waterway, or attach to any vessel that is anchored or moored on any waterway another vessel that is not seaworthy. Determinations of seaworthiness shall be made by the West Sacramento police department and/or the United States Coast Guard.
D. Anchor or moor any vessel, or continue to anchor or moor a vessel, on any waterway forty-eight hours after receiving notice that, due to threat of flooding, high water or other public safety reasons, the vessel must be removed from the location or waterway:
1. Notices to move shall be posted upon the vessel and a copy mailed to the registered owner, if actually known. The notice shall: (a) advise the owner/occupant that the vessel must be moved within forty-eight hours of posting, (b) explain the reason why the vessel must be moved, and (c) state that if the vessel is not moved, it will be towed and impounded at the owner’s expense.
2. Any vessel not in compliance with the notice and order to move will be subject to immediate removal by the West Sacramento police department.
3. Nothing contained in this chapter shall limit the city’s authority to summarily abate any condition if the city determines that the condition poses an immediate threat to public health or safety. (Ord. 00-4 § 4 (part))

I assume the "B" provision above and the requirement to pump-out every 4 days are the troubles. It would really help if you explained why you were denied. I admit, the every 4-day requirement is a pain. If your bilge leaks more than you can pump into a blackwater tank, that is a pain too.

I can only guess that they have had oily unseaworthy vessels pumping sewage into the harbor.

I don't think there is any MSD that could pass the standards POTWs are expected to pass, so I guess this is a small surprise. After all, discharging those wastes into a creek on land would be illegal too.

Stu Jackson · May 18, 2010

catsailor said:
I can only guess that they have had oily unseaworthy vessels pumping sewage into the harbor.

The reality is no. They don't have any vessels over about 30 feet long in Sacramento. And the big one is a tied up old sternwheeler used for a restaurant.

8.40.090 Sanitation log.
Vessels possessing a valid permit shall submit a sanitation log documenting compliance with this chapter to the West Sacramento police department upon request. (Ord. 00-4 § 4 (part))

It more of the same old sh*t from the same old a$$holes. As noted in another one of these "stupidity 101" topics, they tried this in western Canada last year and it got flamed out. They didn't have any working pumpouts!!!

They're just peddling the same old rotten wording to any jurisdiction who'll listen. See 'em going after BP, do ya?

Landlubbing jerks who write this crap oughta be made to live on a boat for a year.

And anybody who says "Gee, this isn't too bad" is missing the entire point.

Expect to see more of the same "keep a pumpout log" nonsense as time goes by all over the place.

Bad Obsession · May 18, 2010

This isn't right at all and someone should consult Boat US about this since they have lobbiests to pursue these matters. The idea of not being able to pump out bilge water is nuts! All boats leak...All of them do and the water that comes inside of them has to go somewhere!!

I forget....is this America? When did we start loosing our freedoms? Seriously, these people who come up with these laws should be keel drug and hung. Anyone who has ever been around a boat knows that these provisions are just plain and simple bunk!

catsailor · May 18, 2010

Bad Obsession said:
This isn't right at all and someone should consult Boat US about this since they have lobbiests to pursue these matters. The idea of not being able to pump out bilge water is nuts! All boats leak...All of them do and the water that comes inside of them has to go somewhere!!

I forget....is this America? When did we start loosing our freedoms? Seriously, these people who come up with these laws should be keel drug and hung. Anyone who has ever been around a boat knows that these provisions are just plain and simple bunk!

Actually, you know what is obvious, that none of us specifically mentioned?

These same rules should apply in a marina, for symmetry, if they are important. They don't. I smell the marina lobby. That's what I smell.

tommays · May 18, 2010

We get these by the dozen

Right now there are three pulled up on shore by the Huntington town dock on the the tax payers DIME

Stu Jackson · May 18, 2010

catsailor said:
I smell the marina lobby. That's what I smell.

I'm not sure they have one. Have you heard about what's been going on with the darned environmentalists in Seattle and a marina that has tried just about everything to comply and they're still getting hassled?

http://content.yudu.com/A1n9my/48NApr10/resources/index.htm?referrerUrl=http://www.48north.com/ Start at page 38.

This Sacramento attempt is pure landlubber enviro-Nazi stuff.

Steve Dion · May 18, 2010

Stu:

So far we are not getting this from Sacramento. This is from the City of West Sacramento (different county too, Yolo County). They are also on the "Left" side of the river (rive gauche).

....and here is a excerpt from their mayor.

[FONT=Tahoma, Sans-Serif]Mayor's Message[/FONT]

As a City Council member, seven-term mayor and resident, I have been privileged to witness the transformation of West Sacramento from a forgotten corner of unincorporated Yolo County to a vibrant city that is recognized regionally and statewide for its innovative, business-friendly government, quality of life, and unsurpassed potential

Stu Jackson · May 26, 2010

vallejo 55 said:
Would you please send me the email address for recboats of california. Wiley

Done and here, too: http://www.rboc.org/