Got a macerator with a valve going to the overboard discharge that I keep closed all the time. Friend on the dock saw it the other day and said I had to have the valve handle sealed or "locked" in the closed position in some way to be legal, another guy said as long as it was closed I was okay if boarded. Who's right?
Overboard Discharge Setup Question
- Thread starter Hugh4753
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Zip Tie
Put a zip tie on it nice and tight. Sealing it more permanantly would make it tough to use if you really needed it.
Put a zip tie on it nice and tight. Sealing it more permanantly would make it tough to use if you really needed it.
you can be fined
if you do not tie it off somehow to prevent you from turning the y valve to the overboard position.(plastic wire ties work great). Taken from BoatUS....... Federal law says that untreated sewage (even if it's been dosed with a deodorant product) can NOT be discharged in inland or coastal waters. This means the sewage from a portable toilet or a Type III holding tank can not be discharged unless you are in the ocean more than 3 miles offshore. Federal law also states that if you have a holding tank with a "Y" valve allowing direct overboard discharge of untreated waste, it must be secured in the closed position while operating in all inland and coastal waters. Using a non-releasable wire tie, padlock, or removing the valve handle is considered adequate securing of the device. Operating in a federally designated “No Discharge Area” further restricts what sewage you can discharge overboard. In these areas, there is no treated sewage discharge allowed from boats. That means if you have a Type I or II MSD, you are not allowed to discharge it while in those waters. There is a trend towards more local waters being designated as No Discharge Areas, so if you rely on using your Type I or II MSD, check a cruising guide before venturing into new waters.
if you do not tie it off somehow to prevent you from turning the y valve to the overboard position.(plastic wire ties work great). Taken from BoatUS....... Federal law says that untreated sewage (even if it's been dosed with a deodorant product) can NOT be discharged in inland or coastal waters. This means the sewage from a portable toilet or a Type III holding tank can not be discharged unless you are in the ocean more than 3 miles offshore. Federal law also states that if you have a holding tank with a "Y" valve allowing direct overboard discharge of untreated waste, it must be secured in the closed position while operating in all inland and coastal waters. Using a non-releasable wire tie, padlock, or removing the valve handle is considered adequate securing of the device. Operating in a federally designated “No Discharge Area” further restricts what sewage you can discharge overboard. In these areas, there is no treated sewage discharge allowed from boats. That means if you have a Type I or II MSD, you are not allowed to discharge it while in those waters. There is a trend towards more local waters being designated as No Discharge Areas, so if you rely on using your Type I or II MSD, check a cruising guide before venturing into new waters.
Acceptable means of securing the system
Here's the federal law (33 CFR 159.7) verbatim. (b) describes acceptable means of securing a treatment device in "no discharge" waters...(c) describes how to secure overboard discharge from a holding tank while inside the "3 mile limit:" (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, 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.
Here's the federal law (33 CFR 159.7) verbatim. (b) describes acceptable means of securing a treatment device in "no discharge" waters...(c) describes how to secure overboard discharge from a holding tank while inside the "3 mile limit:" (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, 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.
Overboard Discharge
I got a courtesy inspection from the CG Aux and we went round and round about this subject. A macerator discharge is not a "Y" valve and opening it does nothing unless I turn on the macerator pump. Still he would not budge and kept calling it a "Y" valve. I folded and put a wire tie on it and he was happy and I rarely use it anyway.
I got a courtesy inspection from the CG Aux and we went round and round about this subject. A macerator discharge is not a "Y" valve and opening it does nothing unless I turn on the macerator pump. Still he would not budge and kept calling it a "Y" valve. I folded and put a wire tie on it and he was happy and I rarely use it anyway.
Hugh, I use option
1 as listed by Peggie: close the valve and remove the handle. CG has been satisfied as has the Riverkeeper for the lower Neuse. Check with Captain Walt Grimes at your marina, he'll be happy to give you advice. When you see him give him a "hail" from Carolina. Steve and Sheila Kamp
1 as listed by Peggie: close the valve and remove the handle. CG has been satisfied as has the Riverkeeper for the lower Neuse. Check with Captain Walt Grimes at your marina, he'll be happy to give you advice. When you see him give him a "hail" from Carolina. Steve and Sheila Kamp
Padlock with long shank
I have a padlock with a 3 inch shank; fits through the hole provided by the manufacturer. The key is on the ring with the boat ignition. Legal and no muss, no fuss.
I have a padlock with a 3 inch shank; fits through the hole provided by the manufacturer. The key is on the ring with the boat ignition. Legal and no muss, no fuss.
Federal law says "each valve"...so that would mean
Both the y-valve and the seacock. However, unless you're inspected by real jerk, securing the thru-hull should be enough to satisfy. Just securing the y-valve might or might not be.
Both the y-valve and the seacock. However, unless you're inspected by real jerk, securing the thru-hull should be enough to satisfy. Just securing the y-valve might or might not be.
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