Head help...please

Sep 20, 2011
60
Catalina 22 Deltona-Lake Monroe
I would SO appreciate an explanation of what type of MSD heads were being required at Marathon, BEFORE I go there. As the county funds the "free" pump out vessels, it would be great to use them. There again, it would be helpful to know what THEY require to facilitate the waste disposal.

The use of the term "installed" yesterday in the Marathon trip discussion, is confusing. USCG regulates Type 1 and 2 MSD's because they are generally fixed holding tanks with plumbing for pump access. It is, in their opinion, a system that can cause sewage to leak into area waters, and why they are strictly inspected and certified, unlike the easily removed, self contained type 3 MSD's.

So to be clear on my question, must I buy a porta potty with a hose connection to use the free pump stations, or are they equipped to drain the common type 3 tank that comes with a pour outlet. They are higher in price but if that's what is called for, that's what I'll buy before leaving. The convenience of being able to use these pump facilities, funded by the Monroe county tax, makes it worth the expense, IF necessary.

Please help clarify. The member, whose sig states the best way to do a job is to do it correctly the FIRST time, is brilliant, and rings in my ears on every job I do.

PS, for an in depth article on the costs and perceived corruption of the county's pump out contracts, this is interesting reading from a Key West newspaper.

http://thebluepaper.com/article/audit-shows-monroe-county-spent-85-more-than-bargained-for/
 
Sep 20, 2011
60
Catalina 22 Deltona-Lake Monroe
Just spoke with helpful rep at PumpOut USA. To use their free service, you MUST have a trough hull, top side connector that connects to whatever tank you have. John, a long time live-aboard resident there, understood the extra expense of installing such system on a small boat, and told me the Bahia Hondastate park at mile marker 37, and the
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park at Largo, both allow boaters to dump from stand alone porta potti's. It's those or the 3 mile out trip to dump.
He also said the Boot Key Harbor regs, were a local thing, not called for in other areas of the Keys. Those are the facts folks, hope it helps others prepare for their trips down.