Does a discharge line need a lock?

[robertsapp]

We boat in the Gulf of Mexico and the bays surrounding Pensacola, FL. Our Hunter 336 is set up so that the toilet only flushes to the holding tank. From there, you can either pump it out via the deck fitting, or pump it overboard via a macerator pump. There is no wye valve in the system, the only valve is a thru-hull ball valve in the discharge line of the macerator pump. My question is - does this valve need to be locked shut in some way to satisfy the Coast Guard? The valve is located in a small locker on my swim platform, so when underway the only way I could even access this valve is to climb out on my swim platform. Just want to make sure I'm legal if anyone ever checks.

 

[Ron20324]

Usually the best source for a correct answer would be the Coast Guard or your state DNR. It seems to me the remote location of the valvel limits "inadvertant use", which is why "Y" valves should be locked or secured with a tie-wrap. But that's just MY opinion.

 

[Chris Burti]

I do not have the citation readily at hand to support my answer, but I am reasonably certain that either the valve has to be locked or the locker that it is in must be locked to prevent an inadvertant discharge.

 

[Head Master18695]

By Federal Law, any time you're inside the U.S. three mile limit, the discharge through hull must be turned off AND SECURED in the off position, to prevent deliberate - or accidental - discharge of waste into the water. The only exception is if you have a Coast Guard certified treatment system onboard, and are operating the boat in other than a No Discharge Zone. List of No Discharge zones, by state: http://www.epa.gov/owow/oceans/regulatory/vessel_sewage/vsdnozone.html
A No Discharge Zone is an area mandated by the EPA, where sewage from a boat may not be discharged overboard, whether it's been treated or not. Raw (untreated) sewage may not be discharged overboard ANYWHERE in the U.S.

No Discharge Zones pertain only to toilet waste that HAS BEEN treated.

Acceptable means of securing the through-hull seacock are non-reuseable electrical wire ties, wire and padlock, removing the handle from the seacock, etc. The idea is to make it a fair amount of effort required to change the seacock from the "wrong" position to the "right" position, so that if you see you're about to be boarded, you can't simply reach down a hatch and turn the valve handle to the "right" position.

 

[Allan Frey]

>By Federal Law, any time you're inside the U.S. three mile limit, the discharge through hull must be turned off AND SECURED in the off position,<

As I recall, that is only one of many ways allowed under the law, e.g. one can also lock the door to the head with only the capt having the key, the macerator disconnected electrically, etc

 

[robertsapp]

The idea is to make it a fair amount of effort required to change the seacock from the "wrong" position to the "right" position, so that if you see you're about to be boarded, you can't simply reach down a hatch and turn the valve handle to the "right" position.

Well in this case, I'd have to climb over the stern pushpit, hang off the back of the boat, kneel on the swim platform, release the cam lock latch, open the hatch, and reach in and turn the valve. I suspect this would draw some attention, and I would consider it a "fair amount of effort", but since we're dealing with the government in the form of the Coast Guard, I guess I'll go put a zip tie or something on the valve in question. I'll have to drill the handle though, there is no provision for any kind of locking device.

Thanks for the responses.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Here's the applicable section of the Code of Federal Regulations

Note that the acceptable meas of "securing" a system that has a Type III MSD (holding tank) are slightly different from the acceptable means of securing a system that has a Type I or II MSD (treatment device).

33 CFR 159.7

(a) No person may operate any vessel equipped with installed toilet facilities unless it is equipped with:
(1) An operable Type II or III device that has a label on it under §159.16 or that is certified under §159.12 or §159.12a; or
(2) An operable Type I device that has a label on it under §159.16 or that is certified under §159.12, if the vessel is 19.7 meters (65 feet) or less in length.


(b) When operating a vessel on a body of water where the discharge of treated or untreated sewage is prohibited by the Environmental Protection Agency under 40 CFR 140.3 or 140.4, the operator must secure each Type I or Type II device in a manner which prevents discharge of treated or untreated sewage. Acceptable methods of securing the device include—

(1) Closing the seacock and removing the handle;

(2) Padlocking the seacock in the closed position;

(3) Using a non-releasable wire-tie to hold the seacock in the closed position; or
(4) Locking the door to the space enclosing the toilets with a padlock or door handle key lock.


(c) When operating a vessel on a body of water where the discharge of untreated sewage is prohibited by the Environmental Protection Agency under 40 CFR 140.3, the operator must secure each Type III device in a manner which prevents discharge of sewage. Acceptable methods of securing the device include—

(1) Closing each valve leading to an overboard discharge and removing the handle;

(2) Padlocking each valve leading to an overboard discharge in the closed position; or

(3) Using a non-releasable wire-tie to hold each valve leading to an overboard discharge in the closed position.

 

[seadaddler]

I Think

I think it's only in the keys where you need it needs some kind of locking is in order securing other wise a fine is given.
Maybe Peggy will jump in clear things up,maybe removing the handle from the locker is good.
Nick

 

[Rick D]

Thanks For the Reminder

As annoying as it is, we do sail in an area where training takes place and boardings are not uncommon. I had not zip-tied my Y valve and sure enough, some 18 year-old in training might well site me even if it is on the tank position. I guess I'd better get a padlock for the stupid thing.

 

[Benny]

If anybody wants to crawl into the swim platform locker to check and see if the valve is secured they are welcome to do it.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Helloooo???

Maybe Peggy will jump in clear things up,maybe removing the handle from the locker is good.Nick

Peggie has already jumped in with a copy/paste directly from the CFR that lists what it considers acceptable. What more than the actual law do you need????

 

[Patrick17430]

go ahead and let her rip in the BVI

Funny thing is, go down to the Caribbean in that beautiful blue water and you can discharge 1000' from shore. Here in Galveston bay, the water is so nasty and polluted you couldn't spot a herd of turds floating on top but if you get boarded, you better have your valve tied off or it's gonna cost you. The other funny thing is you can legally pee directly off your boat. It doesnt become an illegal discharge until you've put it in a container. So if you pee in a can and throw it overboard, Jail. That doesnt mean go stand on the bow and pee in front of the Coasties. But then again, it never mad any sense to me that someone would sport a cocktail or beer flag on their boat while under way either.

 

[seadaddler]

Pump out boats

Up in NY the bays were in bad shape and they locals starting cleaning them up with federal $$$$ to local towns add pump out boats for free to all boaters on the waters and also improving sewage treatment plants.
We need some of that federal $$$$$ for more town pump out boats free to all boaters.
Nick

 

[Patrick17430]

Up in NY the bays were in bad shape and they locals starting cleaning them up with federal $$$$ to local towns add pump out boats for free to all boaters on the waters and also improving sewage treatment plants.
We need some of that federal $$$$$ for more town pump out boats free to all boaters.
Nick

+1 I have a 12 gal. tank. The $50 fee here is outrageous.

 

[seadaddler]

What

Are you saying you pay $50 for a pump out

 

[Patrick17430]

Naw.... Franklin syphons it out for me. When I met him he was wearing a sign that read, will work for food.