Holding tank to go?

[tokoloshe]

My Ben. F285 has a holding tank in the cockpit locker that is not required.

The top fixings are visible but I would like to know whether other fixings are
accessible before committing myself to removal.

 

[Seajet]

I thought somewhere not too far in the future holding tanks will be mandatory ?

 

[tokoloshe]

I thought somewhere not too far in the future holding tanks will be mandatory ?

Not if you have an alternative means of defecatory control. (or for those on a non MOD budget: a portapotti)

 

[JumbleDuck]

I thought somewhere not too far in the future holding tanks will be mandatory ?

Good luck with fitting them to seals and porpoises.

 

[Seajet]

Having a porta-potti is why I was happy to raise the prospect of compulsory holding tanks !

 

[JumbleDuck]

Having a porta-potti is why I was happy to raise the prospect of compulsory holding tanks !

I am astonished at the number of people who think it acceptable to use a sea toilet in a marina.

 

[prv]

I am astonished at the number of people who think it acceptable to use a sea toilet in a marina.

Depends on the marina. I'd use the heads with a clear conscience in a marina that juts out into a flowing estuary, but one that's enclosed in an old dock basin (or even worse, behind lock gates) is a very different matter. Bit of common sense required, that's all.

Although I guess it's inevitable eventually, I haven't heard any specific threats of lavatorial compulsion in the UK. We had to remove the old holding tank in Ariam as it was leaking, and didn't see any need to replace it although the option remains for the future. We never used the one in Kindred Spirit in three seasons of ownership.

Pete

 

[Burnham Bob]

obvioulsy there will be an outlet. mine has one low down through a sea cock fed by a pump for discharge at sea and a separate one that comes up to the deck for pump out. there is also a breather so you could have as many as three tubes to trace and seal off.

 

[Tranona]

I thought somewhere not too far in the future holding tanks will be mandatory ?

What do you base that little gem of misinformation on? It may be likely that they will be compulsory on new builds in the future as they are in Holland, but even the Dutch have not gone as far as making retrofits compulsory, relying on legislation controlling discharge - but only in certain areas, not in the open sea.

So people can find their own solutions which may or may not involve holding tanks.

 

[charles_reed]

What do you base that little gem of misinformation on? It may be likely that they will be compulsory on new builds in the future as they are in Holland, but even the Dutch have not gone as far as making retrofits compulsory, relying on legislation controlling discharge - but only in certain areas, not in the open sea.

So people can find their own solutions which may or may not involve holding tanks.

Ah! the dreaded Blue Card in Muglia province gives the lie to your pious hope, Tranona. Also mandatory retrofit on British Waterways and the Everglades - though not many contributors on this forum are likely to travel that far from home.

 

[vyv_cox]

What do you base that little gem of misinformation on? It may be likely that they will be compulsory on new builds in the future as they are in Holland, but even the Dutch have not gone as far as making retrofits compulsory, relying on legislation controlling discharge - but only in certain areas, not in the open sea.

That is a very typical Dutch way of dealing with tricky issues. When they decided that copper based antifouling was polluting their waterways and killing fish (subsequently found to be due to illegal discharges from a factory) they issued an edict that nobody could apply such A/F. Chandlers still sold it, anyone could buy it, anyone could still have it on their boat. Dutch people either antifouled at night when no authorities could see them, or took their boats to Belgium to antifoul there.

Another one. Drug addicts use the train to travel between Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Utrecht to collect free Methodone. Few of them bothered to buy tickets and had no money (or refused) to pay the fare plus fine when caught by the ticket inspectors. The solution dreamed up the Dutch government was to issue drug users with free railcards. This was trumpeted as a great success in the press.

 

[pheran]

Ah, the pragmatic Dutch. At least they go through the motions D) of doing something in accordance with the edicts that emanate from Brussels. Unlike the French or Italians who just cock a snook.

 

[prv]

Ah! the dreaded Blue Card in Muglia province gives the lie to your pious hope, Tranona. Also mandatory retrofit on British Waterways and the Everglades

Not really of much relevance to sailing around the UK and the Channel, though.

I'm all for holding tanks in the Med and similar places, though it sounds like Turkey has mired the good principle in bureaucracy. Similarly, nobody wants our slow-moving canals filled with sewage. The Americans in general are a little neurotic about the whole subject.

Pete

 

[JohnGC]

Ah, the pragmatic Dutch. At least they go through the motions D) of doing something in accordance with the edicts that emanate from Brussels. Unlike the French or Italians who just cock a snook.

More information here: http://www.rya.org.uk/infoadvice/boatingabroad/Pages/holdingtanks.aspx

 

[Tranona]

Ah! the dreaded Blue Card in Muglia province gives the lie to your pious hope, Tranona. Also mandatory retrofit on British Waterways and the Everglades - though not many contributors on this forum are likely to travel that far from home.

But that is Turkey and not the UK. The inland waterways requirements are completely different and the infrastructure is in place to deal with holding tanks. Plus it is much easier to fit tanks to canal boats.

There has been little pressure for restrictions in coastal waters and no (or very limited) pump outs even in the most popular sailing areas. Just one in Poole for example despite 8000 boats moored in the harbour.

 

[Stork_III]

What do you base that little gem of misinformation on? It may be likely that they will be compulsory on new builds in the future as they are in Holland, but even the Dutch have not gone as far as making retrofits compulsory, relying on legislation controlling discharge - but only in certain areas, not in the open sea.

So people can find their own solutions which may or may not involve holding tanks.

Discharge of black water is illegal in ALL dutch territorial waters not just inland.

 

[pheran]

Discharge of black water is illegal in ALL dutch territorial waters not just inland.

Quite right to. And it will come to UK coastal waters too, the sooner the better. The discharge of untreated sewerage from the land is already illegal. Why should boats be an exception? Who wants to sit at anchor in the sunshine and watch a 'floater' come past? Anyone coming for a swim?

 

[Digger F]

Ah! the dreaded Blue Card in Muglia province gives the lie to your pious hope, Tranona. Also mandatory retrofit on British Waterways and the Everglades - though not many contributors on this forum are likely to travel that far from home.

Sorry to correct you but holding tanks are NOT mandatory on British Waterways the discharge of sewage is prohibited and any toilets discharging directly overboard into the waterway MUST have a Valve fitted in the discharge line. You are permitted to use a Chemical Toilet on board.

 

[JumbleDuck]

The discharge of untreated sewerage from the land is already illegal. Why should boats be an exception?

Because it's an insignificantly tiny amount, it emerges into the sea well broken up and it is highly unlikely, sea toilets being the sensitive things they are, to contain anything other than poo, pee and paper. Just think how much sewage seagulls, seals, porpoises and fish discharge into the sea.

 

[onesea]

Because it's an insignificantly tiny amount, it emerges into the sea well broken up and it is highly unlikely, sea toilets being the sensitive things they are, to contain anything other than poo, pee and paper. Just think how much sewage seagulls, seals, porpoises and fish discharge into the sea.

+1 I would not use mine in enclosed locks or waterways. I avoid number 2's in Marina's and busy anchorages...

I agree with the idea of compulsory holding tanks being mandatory on new boats...

Many older boats do not have the space for them or would need costly alterations to fit one. 30 year old cars do not need to meet modern regulations. I know that there are those here that shout how brilliant Porta Potis are, but they have there problems two...

And to the OP just cause its not presently required I would not remove it, certainly if I was a potential buyer it would be a + to have one.