I am replaceing all of the sanitation hoses for the aft holdind tank. The boat is equipped with a hand pump for overboard discharge. I would like to convert the system from a manual to elect. system. Any suggestions on what type of elect. pump to use? Also, are there any legal issues for this type of conversion that may be outlined by Coast Guard regulations.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
P
Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
Unless you sail at least 3 miles outside...
Galveston Bay, you can't legally dump the tank at all. You must be at least 3 miles out to sea (in the Gulf in your case), not just 3 miles from shore. However, there are no CG regulations about what type of pump you can use. Although I prefer diaphragm pumps, the least expensive is a Jabsco macerator pump. Just make sure it's close to the tank (but do NOT connect it directly to the tank), and at or below the level of the tanks discharge fitting. If it has to run dry for more than a couple of seconds before priming, the impeller "fries." Unless there's already one in the disharge line (iow, if you now have just a tee fitting), you'll also have to install a y-valve that can be secured--wire tied or the handle removed--in the closed position when you're inside the "3 mile limit." The CG can get a bit testy about systems that cannot be secured.
Galveston Bay, you can't legally dump the tank at all. You must be at least 3 miles out to sea (in the Gulf in your case), not just 3 miles from shore. However, there are no CG regulations about what type of pump you can use. Although I prefer diaphragm pumps, the least expensive is a Jabsco macerator pump. Just make sure it's close to the tank (but do NOT connect it directly to the tank), and at or below the level of the tanks discharge fitting. If it has to run dry for more than a couple of seconds before priming, the impeller "fries." Unless there's already one in the disharge line (iow, if you now have just a tee fitting), you'll also have to install a y-valve that can be secured--wire tied or the handle removed--in the closed position when you're inside the "3 mile limit." The CG can get a bit testy about systems that cannot be secured.
B
bill walton
3 miles?
Peggy, What exactly is meant by the 3 mile distance. I've drawn a line on my charts 3 miles off shore from one end of the Keys to the other and I dump outside of that before coming home from any weekend trip. Are you saying that this is not the 3 miles specified in the law? TIA bw S/V Sugar Magnolia Summerland Key, FL
Peggy, What exactly is meant by the 3 mile distance. I've drawn a line on my charts 3 miles off shore from one end of the Keys to the other and I dump outside of that before coming home from any weekend trip. Are you saying that this is not the 3 miles specified in the law? TIA bw S/V Sugar Magnolia Summerland Key, FL
P
Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
You prob'ly have it right, Bill
Or at least close. The law says you must be at least 3 miles away from the nearest point of land (including any islands) on the US coastline. If you've drawn a line 3 miles from the Keys in any direction, that should put you where you need to be. The confusion comes where there are large bays or sounds that are more than 6 miles across, and people mistakenly believe they only need to be 3 miles from the nearest shore, even though they're still in the bay or sound. But that doesn't work. You must completely clear the bay and go 3 MORE miles out to sea in order to legally flush directly overboard or dump tank. However, there is something you do need to check: It's only on the Gulf side of FL, not the east coast (Atlantic side)...and I don't know whether the Keys are affected or not....but in some places the "3 mile limit" has been extended to 6, and in some places 12 miles. I THINK it's only further north in the bend around to the Panhandle, 'cuz 3 miles in one direction was inside 3 miles in the other...so they just moved the limits far enough out to keep that from happening. But otoh, there's been a lot of flap recently about the ecologicallly sensitive waters off the Keys, so it would be wise to make sure you're still ok at 3 miles.
Or at least close. The law says you must be at least 3 miles away from the nearest point of land (including any islands) on the US coastline. If you've drawn a line 3 miles from the Keys in any direction, that should put you where you need to be. The confusion comes where there are large bays or sounds that are more than 6 miles across, and people mistakenly believe they only need to be 3 miles from the nearest shore, even though they're still in the bay or sound. But that doesn't work. You must completely clear the bay and go 3 MORE miles out to sea in order to legally flush directly overboard or dump tank. However, there is something you do need to check: It's only on the Gulf side of FL, not the east coast (Atlantic side)...and I don't know whether the Keys are affected or not....but in some places the "3 mile limit" has been extended to 6, and in some places 12 miles. I THINK it's only further north in the bend around to the Panhandle, 'cuz 3 miles in one direction was inside 3 miles in the other...so they just moved the limits far enough out to keep that from happening. But otoh, there's been a lot of flap recently about the ecologicallly sensitive waters off the Keys, so it would be wise to make sure you're still ok at 3 miles.
J
Jon Bastien
Check your charts, Bill...
Hi Bill, I live in Key West, and I understand the correct pump-out procedure for the Lower Keys is that you must go 3 miles beyond the Marine Sanctuaries- i.e., 3 miles beyond the reefs- before you may pump out over the side. There's a line on my local charts that indicates the three-mile limit, and it's based on the coral heads and small keys that pop out of the water at low tide. There's one small spot near Key West where the 3-mile line actually weaves its way inside the reef, but it's in the middle of a marked sanctuary, so no pumping there either. You may also want to have a look at the National Marine Sanctuary home page, at http://www.fknms.nos.noaa.gov ; It's been a while since I combed over this site, but I think they have some guidelines for recreational boaters there. Good luck... --Jon Bastien H25 'Adagio'
Hi Bill, I live in Key West, and I understand the correct pump-out procedure for the Lower Keys is that you must go 3 miles beyond the Marine Sanctuaries- i.e., 3 miles beyond the reefs- before you may pump out over the side. There's a line on my local charts that indicates the three-mile limit, and it's based on the coral heads and small keys that pop out of the water at low tide. There's one small spot near Key West where the 3-mile line actually weaves its way inside the reef, but it's in the middle of a marked sanctuary, so no pumping there either. You may also want to have a look at the National Marine Sanctuary home page, at http://www.fknms.nos.noaa.gov ; It's been a while since I combed over this site, but I think they have some guidelines for recreational boaters there. Good luck... --Jon Bastien H25 'Adagio'
P
Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
Also keep in mind that...
The "3 mile limit" also applies to islands that may be more than 3 miles from the mainland. The best example I can think of Catalina Island in CA, which is "26 miles across the sea" from the mainland. There are 21 miles between the mainland and the island in which it's legal to discharge the head directly overboard or dum a tank, but you cannot do it within 3 miles of the mainland OR the island. This may also apply to islands off the FL Keys...some of which may actually be underwater except at low tide...but no matter whether it does or not, if the areas have been declared "no discharge" for ecological reasons--even if they are more than 3 miles from any other US land mass, you have to get outside that area to dump the tank. And any place that's been designated "no discharge" as a result of environmental pressure is likely to be more heavily patrolled than waters that only happen to be inside the arbitrary "3 mile limit."
The "3 mile limit" also applies to islands that may be more than 3 miles from the mainland. The best example I can think of Catalina Island in CA, which is "26 miles across the sea" from the mainland. There are 21 miles between the mainland and the island in which it's legal to discharge the head directly overboard or dum a tank, but you cannot do it within 3 miles of the mainland OR the island. This may also apply to islands off the FL Keys...some of which may actually be underwater except at low tide...but no matter whether it does or not, if the areas have been declared "no discharge" for ecological reasons--even if they are more than 3 miles from any other US land mass, you have to get outside that area to dump the tank. And any place that's been designated "no discharge" as a result of environmental pressure is likely to be more heavily patrolled than waters that only happen to be inside the arbitrary "3 mile limit."
- Status
- Not open for further replies.