Grey Water Tanks for Med?

[robmurray]

We have just bought a berth in the new MDL marina on the Med coast of Spain. The regs say that, in addition to holding tanks, you need a grey water tank for everyting including bilge pump outlet. On asking around it sems that no-one bothers and I dont want to waste big money and ripping the boat apart. Any views?

 

[Talbot]

cheaper to do it, than suffer the fine when some guardia decides he needs a bust.

 

[hairbox]

I also have these concerns but have been told not to worry about it as they are devolping a sytem to cope with grey waste, worst case is having to tape up your outlets.

 

[absit_omen]

Perhaps you can enlighten us with your first hand experience of Guardia Civil Grey Water Tank Busts. Dates, times and places please. I do not want to be the next victim.

 

[charles_reed]

Ooh, saucy nm

nm

 

[Talbot]

[ QUOTE ]
Perhaps you can enlighten us with your first hand experience of Guardia Civil Grey Water Tank Busts. Dates, times and places please. I do not want to be the next victim.

[/ QUOTE ]

yes I dont have any 1st hand experience, however, I do have experience of police making use of available legislation, even when not normally exercised with local inhabitants.

 

[absit_omen]

Pray tell.

 

[Grehan]

. . which new MDL marina?

 

[tcm]

ooh, i know about this. But unfortunately i am not a liveaboard, hence cannot contribute.

 

[looly]

Very funny tcm /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif We get your point

Please, please contribute though - we would be happy to have your advise (especially as I will be that way in the summer!!!)

 

[ean_p]

You need to be on the liveaboard lurkers forum !!!!!!

 

[Steve Clayton]

The actual translation of the Spanish regs within Ports, Rias, protected areas etc is

"Any unloading (of grey or black waste) is not allowed, not even with treatment" so legally you cannot discharge grey water within a port/marina. There are other laws regarding coloured water disposal with 4 miles of shore, within 12 miles of shore, and beyond 12 miles. All is detailed in Spanish Document "Ministero de Fomento; 9581 Orden Fom/1144/2003" dated 28th April 2003 and issued on the 12th May 2003.

www.seraph-sailing.com

 

[charles_reed]

No doubt

As there are no pump-out facilities, one'll have to tow a barge behind one to accept all the effluent and carry it into international waters in the Atlantic.

Sounds like a good idea to avoid Spain.

 

[Steve Clayton]

Re: No doubt

I have only quoted from the Spanish documentation relating to grey water disposal. What happens in reality maybe totally different /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Treated waste (ie sanitised) may be discharged 4 to 12 miles offshore whilst moving in excess of 4knots

Untreated waste may be discharged greater than 12 miles offshore whilst moving in excess of 4 knots.

When inspected by the Spanish (for charter activity) then we were checked for black waste holding tank; no reference (18 months ago) to having grey water being discharged to a tank - however it is possible that your local regulations require you to have this facility.

www.americas-cup2007.com

 

[charles_reed]

Fortunately

I've left Spain behind, and I doubt I'll bother visiting Mediterranean Spain again, though the Atlantic coast is good fun.

Probably the most depressing, despoiled piece of coastline in Europe.

 

[jimbaerselman]

Most Mediterranean countries have similar regulations.

Note that the regualtion sais that you mustn't discharge. They generally do not require vessels to have holding tanks, although having such a tank is a good defence if someone shops you (exceptions are generally locally licenced charter vessels).

The regulations are policed according to Mediterranean norms. ie, everyone knows that the rules will be broken by private vessels because it's grossly inconvenient to meet the rules fully. Therefore no authorities inspect for infractions.

Instead, everyone assumes that you won't break the rules in an obvious manner. So, look out before you discharge grey water, and do so discreetly (at night is good). Also, don't get up anyone's nostrils - or they may look out for your infraction (real or not) (sound in the knowledge that it will happen) and report you to the authorities. When there will be an assumption of guilt, followed by a fine, or a long and pointless hiatus while you wait months for a court hearing.

All of which very rarely happens, but hits the news when it does - 'outraged Brit . . . .'

Don't worry about it. Be discreet.

 

[Grehan]

agreed