Coat Guard approved plumbing

[Bill C320 Papillon]

I lake sail and therefore don't use overboard discharge. My problem is that my new boat (2008 Catalina 320) is plumbed with two outlets from the holding tank. One is for the pump-out and the other goes to a macerator pump that can be used ( by opening a seacock) to pump out the tank into the water. We are starting to get inspected and I'm sure my system won't satisfy the regulators. Do you know where, or what agency (ies) would be able to provide diagrams so that I can re-plumb to become leagle?

Thanx

 

[Jim Seamans]

Not sure about the local laws but usually the overboard discharge is locked or disabled so it can't be opened satisfies the requirement.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Not necessarily, Jim..

It's true that it's only necessary to "secure" the system from "accidental" overboard discharge in COASTAL waters and navigable interstate waterways...but in some states it's illegal even to have any means of emptying a tank except via pumpout on non-navigable inland lakes.

So, Bill...all you need to do satisfy local requirements anywhere is remove the plumbing and macerator pump, close and lock the seacock, and put a threaded plug in the tank fitting. Since you have two discharge fittings in the tank, you shouldn't need a diagram to do that.

While it may be legal in your waters to simply "secure" the system with wire ties and/or disabling the macerator, I don't recommend doing that because sitting unused for years will destroy the macerator pump (corrosion from lack of lubrication circulating through the motor, rubber parts dry out and fall apart)...and seacocks have a habit of "freezing" when never exercised. So it's best just to pull it all out and sell it to someone else who can use it.

 

[Steve Dion]

Bill:

WM had a diagram in their catalogues for the different setups in the past. You may want to take a look and see if you can find them.

If not, you can just use a wire tie to secure your thru hull in a closed position. This is normally adequate for most jurisdications.

 

[Ron20324]

I'm sure I read that removing any handle from the discharge thruhull would suffice as preventing any "incidental use". Electric ties can be cut and reconnected, but they seem to be acceptable "preventers". As usual, go to the CG site for the definitive answer.

 

[Stephen K]

Bill,

I had the same situation and did just what Peggie recommended. I removed the macerator, locked the thru hull and capped it with a screw in plug. It was easy to do. I simply didn't want the potential argument (and large fine) over "secure from incidental use".

Another advantage is I now have an open spot on my DC panel that can be used to wire something else.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Bill:

WM had a diagram in their catalogues for the different setups in the past. You may want to take a look and see if you can find them.

Yes Steve, they did, but they never published the best one. Their "preferred one" slugged all the crap through the holding tank all the time, rather than having the choice of overboard before tank or holding tank. I never did think WM's head stuff was too good.

 

[Scott B]

I removed the macerator, hose and put a threaded fitting in the tank. Took only a couple of hours and was easy. I now use the thru-hull for a wash-down pump for the anchor mud and crud.