Nasty problem

[HeadMistress]

Arthur, I no longer live in Atlanta..so no, I haven't just come from the club.

Treated waste from that gawdawful contraption SeaLand made called the SaX--and has thankfully discontinued--is indeed disgusting. But don't judge all treated waste by it. The discharge from a Lectra/San is all but unnoticeable to anyone who isn't diving under the boat when it discharges just one flush at time--odorless, almost colorless, and bacteria count is only between 0-5/100 ml--cleaner than the water any marina. And uses no chemicals, but creates hypocholorous acid (a form of chlorine) by charging the ions in salt water with electrical current. When the current is turned off, the solution reverts back to salt water...so it doesn't put any chemicals into the water either. It can be used with any toilet, including Vacuflush (which, if you still have your Sea Ray is your toilet)...you might investigate it, 'cuz except for the Keys, the discharge of treated waste is legal in all FL coastal waters.

<hr width=100% size=1>Peggie Hall
Specializing in marine sanitation since 1987

 

[ArthurWood]

Peggie- Well I hope you've gone to a place with less traffic;
I think we are talking at cross purposes regarding effluent. I know about the electrochemical treatment devices, but I think that in the UK they just dump raw sewage anywhere and that was my point about being disgusting. Yes, I still have my Sea Ray, now with overboard discharge capability, but I don't dump in the marina!! Was it a Trojan you had? Do you still have it?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[hlb]

Arther. I try my best to dump at sea. But is it OK to clean tanks out in marinas. I only ask cos I once got famous for the exploding bog story cos I was trying to do the right thing.

<hr width=100% size=1> <font color=blue>Specializing in marine sanitation since 1997.<font color=red> I'm a volunteer!!.<font color=blue>

Haydn

 

[ArthurWood]

Hello Haydn - in the US, unless you have one of the treatment systems which Peggie described, the only way to legally clean out your system (the boat's that is) is to use a pumpout station, of which there are many in Florida. If you tried flushing out into the marina, I'm sure the police wld be around in minutes, 'cos someone wld report you and rightly so.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[HeadMistress]

Arthur is right...even in a country that has no rules against it, dumping a tank in a marina or anchorage is VERY bad form! In the US, you must be at least 3 miles offshore from the nearest point on the whole North American coastline to dump a tank or flush a toilet directly overboard legally. But even where there is no established limit, the least anyone with ANY class whatever should do is go at least a mile or two out to sea. That may not be far enough to keep the tide or current from carrying it back in, but at least it'll be well diluted by the time it reaches the marina.

Fwiw, I am NOT an environmental zealot...my objection to flushing anything but urine directly overboard or dumping a tank in a marina or anchorage is based solely on aesthetics and consideration for others--when you consider how much more pollution is a result of runoff from the shore, waterfowl etc, there is no other reasonable basis. But there is a limit...and dumping a tank exceeds them.

<hr width=100% size=1>Peggie Hall
Specializing in marine sanitation since 1987

 

[Dave_Snelson]

Urrrgh - too much detail.

<hr width=100% size=1>Madoc Yacht Club
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.madocyachtclub.co.uk>http://www.madocyachtclub.co.uk</A>

 

[ArthurWood]

Squeamish today, are we Dave? Rough night?/forums/images/icons/smile.gif

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[MedDreamer]

Re: Your wish is my command

Brilliant answer Peggy

Thanks very much

Martyn

<hr width=100% size=1>The Dream is Alive

 

[Dave_Snelson]

Actually.....yes!

<hr width=100% size=1>Madoc Yacht Club
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.madocyachtclub.co.uk>http://www.madocyachtclub.co.uk</A>

 

[Nauti Fox]

Hello Arthur,just so you know,no we are not in a marina,yes we have a holding tank,but being the UK the nearest pump out station we can use is about 75 miles away.What would you suggest?
Al.

<hr width=100% size=1>No dear,the water goes in the other one.

 

[ArthurWood]

Weeell, I suggest you fly a warning flag for swimmers. Prob not necessary right now, though.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[HeadMistress]

I would suggest that you fire up the engines and move a mile or two offshore to dump the tank...and that you keep an eye on the tank level indicator (if there is none, install one) so that you can plan ahead to do this instead of being forced to dump the tank where you sit because it's full at a time that's inconvenient to move.

Dumping the tank where you sit is not unpleasant for any others around you, but also surrounds your own boat with waste which can't be very pleasant for you, but also stains your hull. Moving offshore a mile or two (or just out into a channel if you're in a river) allows the waste to disperse AND provides a means of washing it off your own boat.

<hr width=100% size=1>Peggie Hall
Specializing in marine sanitation since 1987

 

[MedDreamer]

My macerator exits through the transom - must make sure no-one is waterski-ing when I discharge

Martyn

<hr width=100% size=1>The Dream is Alive

 

[hlb]

I have thought of filling my holding tank with drain tracer dye. Red I think would be the best colour. I was wondering if i could get the same effect as the Red Arrows do, if I discharge it while doing some victory turns or other manuveres. Have you any advise.

<hr width=100% size=1> <font color=blue>Specializing in marine sanitation since 1997.<font color=red> I'm a volunteer!!.<font color=blue>

Haydn

 

[Nauti Fox]

Yes Peggy I normally do,but the exhaust has cracked on one of the engines and I think it more prudent to stay where I am while it is being repaired.

<hr width=100% size=1>No dear,the water goes in the other one.