Some GOOD Pumpout News

[Les]

I just read in the December issue of 48 Degrees North, our Puget Sound Sailing Magazine some positive news about Pumpouts. Foss Harbor Marina in Tacoma (WA) was concerned that getting a pumpout was difficult and that perhaps some of the liveaboards might be pumping directly into the waterways. If so and tests showed higher then normal concentration of wastes, the marina might be forced to eliminate liveaboard boats.

Meanwhile PumpMeOut, a pump out service to boats in the Tacoma area was considering dropping the Foss Harbor Marina from their route as there didn't appear to have enough need.

Both groups got together and now Foss Harbor Marina tenants pay a little more for their slip and in return get free unlimited pump outs from PumpMeOut thereby the marina stays in compliance with EPA and state ecology standards.

I really liked the part in 48 Degrees North's article.... "every boat that needs a pump gets one. They also get a tank rinse, dose of deodorant and a roll of biodegradable toilet paper in a plastic bag as a 'thank you card'."

The best part of all this is that this is waste that is not going into Puget Sound, sort of a win/win solution. I like that. More marinas and port authorities ought to consider this solution.

 

[Cool Beans]

You mean a rather easy and commonsense solution was adopted by Big Brother? And it worked? Everyone seems to be happy?

I thought this was America? Where are the lawyers? The lawsuits?

I'm so disillusioned right now :Liar:

Sorry to sounds so. . .cynical? I do hope commonsense makes it's way across all across the US. . .I do hope, though I think I can only hope

 

[Stu Jackson]

Nope, doesn't sound like Big Brother at all. If your read what Les wrote, he said: Both groups got together and now

Seems like two smart folks did get together. Big Brother smart? NOT! And not involved, which is probably why it worked!

Thanks for noting that for us, Les.

Why they always pick on liveaboards is beyond me.

 

[shemandr]

Pumpout boats are free, convenient and not utilized nearly enough. Despite anchorages full of boats, and marinas with no vacancies, the guys who run the boats tell me they don't get enough "business". What gives? I get pumped out virtually every weekend. Not because I'm virtuous but because it makes sense to me to not let that stuff hang around. I appreciate the service.
I have wondered if boats in an area should be required to keep a pumpout log, which would be subject to review by DEC or other officials. (Flame Suit on). Just for readers reference I am not one who wants government regulations. I just think this service should be used where it is available or it may go away.

 

[woodster]

at the Fairhope city marina in Alabama they have a pump out wagon with a 100 gal tank that is always available to pump out your tank ...you just go get it and pull it up to your slip ...set the valves....plug in the power cord...run the hose to your boat and pump away .....when done you pull it back to its storage point and there is a pipe there to hook it to and pump the tank into the sewer system...when empty just rense it out and put it back like you found it and be on your way ...dosnt get any simpler than that...... obtw all at no charge.....as i see it there is no reason to have a problem there with pumping out ..unless the pump brakes for some odd reason....and most of the time if others are presant they will off to help....and i feel that being the case you should also offer to help others do the same......

regards

woody

 

[Gail R]

DQOTD...

All these boats at marinas need a pumpout? Don't the marinas have toilet facilities? If I were at a marina, I'd be using the shore facilities before keeping all my poop onboard. But that's just me.

Aside from that, sounds like the marina and the pumpout boat came up with the perfect win-win solution.

 

[Tom J]

I'm originally from Massachusetts, and I consider it one of the most regulated states in the country, which I don't particularly like. But, they do have free pump-outs there, paid for from marine fuel taxes and fees. When I moved to Florida, I found that pump-outs were hard to find, and when you did find one, you paid up to $20 for each plump-out. We would often dump the holding tank at sea, but you have to sail beyond the 9-mile limit on the Gulf Coast to dump. We eventually ended up living aboard, and had to move the boat to the other side of the marina to lpump-out. The pump was on wheels, and I offered to help the dock worker if he would wheel it to my boat. He did, and I paid the $20 plus tip. This wasn't marina policy, however, and I eventually convinced the management to offer this service to all live-aboards, since the county would not allow any live-aboards if they suspected any illegal dumping.
I applaud Foss Harbor Marina for their initiative.

 

[Ray Bowles]

When we were live-aboards and were in the harbour at Marathion in the center Florida Keys they had a pump-out boat that came to your boat weekly for $5 per pump and took all your crap. The pump-out boat was supplied by the US gov as part of the clean marina program. It was a great service and very dependable. 5 bucks for all you got! Suprizingly, at that time, very few boaters used the service. Many of these boats were in the same position 6 months and 1 year later. Same people, same spot. Their boats hadn't moved or were capable of movement. If I'd had the courage to attempt to try and dive under their boats I'd have loved to place a thru-hull plug in the old poop pipe. 5 lousy bucks. Hope it's better now.
Ray

 

[Tom J]

When we were live-aboards and were in the harbour at Marathion in the center Florida Keys they had a pump-out boat that came to your boat weekly for $5 per pump and took all your crap. The pump-out boat was supplied by the US gov as part of the clean marina program. It was a great service and very dependable. 5 bucks for all you got! Suprizingly, at that time, very few boaters used the service. Many of these boats were in the same position 6 months and 1 year later. Same people, same spot. Their boats hadn't moved or were capable of movement. If I'd had the courage to attempt to try and dive under their boats I'd have loved to place a thru-hull plug in the old poop pipe. 5 lousy bucks. Hope it's better now.
Ray

I think it's better now. We stayed there in June, 2010, and did make use of the pump-out boat. We weren't even on the boat at the time. You just put your name on the list in the marina office (city marina), and the pump-out boat guy takes care of everything. Very efficient and convenient. The boats are all on moorings now, and the whole operation was working smoothly. All in all, the harbor seemed to have been cleaned up nicely.

 

[Ray Bowles]

Tom, Thanks, that makes a good place much better. The last time we passed through they had about half the moorings set up. We are back in the northwest sailing smaller boats now. A person will always remember the "good old days" and the great adventures. So glad we went when we did because to delay would have meant to miss.
Ray

 

[fox islander]

I'm at Foss Harbor Marina, not a livaboard however. The pumpout service is really nice. It adds $8/ mo. to everyones bill. During prime boating season I'm scheduled for a pumpout every tuesday...during the winter it's on a call basis. The recently built Center for Urban Waters is directly across the waterway from the marina...wondered if they were perhaps involved.