Bavaria waste water tanks

[Portuguy]

I am planning to visit the Aegean Coast of Turkey later this year in my year 2000 Bavaria 31AC Cruiser. I have read that it is illegal to discharge black and grey water whilst in Turkish waters and that all boats must be fitted with black and grey water holding tanks which must be pumped out at designated disposal sites whilst in port. My boat does have a black water tank but with no pump out connection and I do not have a grey water holding tank. Does anyone have recent experience of sailing in Turkey? Are the waste disposal laws strictly enforced? Is there a quick fix to my tank arrangement which will allow me to meet the regulations? Any advice greatly appreciated!

 

[st599]

When I was a charter skipper you were issued with a Blue Card. Each week you updated the number of guests (and therefore expected waste levels) and when you pumped out, volume was registered against the card. Discrepancy equaled a fine.

 

[Tranona]

Welcome to the forum

I can't comment on how the rules are enforced in Turkey, but would guess variably!

The normal retrofit of a holding tank in a Bavaria of that type is a gravity tank on the bulkhead in the cockpit locker aft of the heads. relatively straightforward if a little tedious to fit. Good general information on fitting holding tanks here tek-tanks.com

 

[Caladh]

Welcome to the forum

I can't comment on how the rules are enforced in Turkey, but would guess variably!

The normal retrofit of a holding tank in a Bavaria of that type is a gravity tank on the bulkhead in the cockpit locker aft of the heads. relatively straightforward if a little tedious to fit. Good general information on fitting holding tanks here tek-tanks.com

The ops post says he already has a black water tank and was querying an additional grey water tank on his Bav or perhaps arrange pipe work to establish legality of discharge in a Turkey. Yes Tek Tanks are a good reference.

 

[Tranona]

Sorry - speed reading! Might be difficult to fit a pumpout because from what I remember there is not much clearance between the top of the tank and the deck. Grey water tank would be quite a challenge to fit as the galley and the loo are on opposite sides of the boat and the sinks discharge overboard above the waterline. There is room for the tank in the locker under the settee forward of the galley, but running a pipe from the loo for the shower and sink would not be easy.

 

[merjan]

Editing my response with information I obtained from friends in Turkey: The Blue Card system seems to have ended. You need to prove pump outs every two weeks with a pump out receipt from a marina. I suppose that does mean that you will need a pump-out connection.

As for grey-water tanks, I have never seen one, having sailed in Turkey for many years. However it is extremely frowned upon to discharge your washing up water in a small inlet, and I wouldn't be suprised if it's an actual offence. As you can probably infer, practice and law in Turkey often do not overlap but I have the impression that the black-water regulations are strict.

PS I speak a bit of Turkish, and would be happy to help if you come across Turkish-only websites.

 

[Portuguy]

Thanks to all for the informative feedback. I understand the Blue Card has now been replaced with an online system. Yes, I do have a black water tank which is located inside the cockpit sail locker. One side of the tank is easily accessible so I guess fitting a pump out connection in the side of the tank is a possibility. As for grey water, I could fit a temporary plastic container under the galley sink to take waste water from there, and the bathroom hand basin waste could be routed directly into the head. I am just not sure if these temporary arrangements would pass an inspection by the Turkish Coastguard or whether they would leave me open to a hefty fine.