Pump Out in SoF

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Think of us poor bugg3rs underneath the swim platform trying to put bin liners around our legs to stave off growth. Not sure what is more unpleasant the cost of a lift and scrub or a throat and ear infection :disgust:

A throat and ear infection is the least of your worries; you want to make sure you are very up to date with your hepatitis jabs before you go splashing around in any Med marina...

Crikey, and here was me thinking "Why don't those lazy sods just dive in and scrub their hull"

Makes sense now! So much to be said for being on a clean, freshwater lake (but it's not the Med, mind)

 

[Portofino]

Crikey, and here was me thinking "Why don't those lazy sods just dive in and scrub their hull"

Makes sense now! So much to be said for being on a clean, freshwater lake (but it's not the Med, mind)

We do but not in the marina
Plenty of nice clear - warm ( got a shorty too) anchorages
Two of us can last a week on "tank "

I was thinking re environmental impact
Is excrement both no 1or 2 a real issue ?
After all it's natural and biodegradable .

What about bilge contents and auto pumps ?
Stuff from sinks ( no Gray water ) showers ?
Washing your boat - with various cleaners -which are not natural

So the TOTAL environmental impact in a place like SoF must be huge ?

That's not to lessen using the tank in marinas
They ought to check folks do -somehow ?

 

[scubaman]

I was thinking re environmental impact
Is excrement both no 1or 2 a real issue ?
After all it's natural and biodegradable .

It is, but the problems lies with the nutrients, mainly phosphorus and nitrogen, that contribute to eutrophication (I had to look up that word). That can, and probably has, affected the environment locally in the marinas. Otoh, the med is huge, so in the grand scheme of things I'd say this matter is just a drop in the ocean, so to say.

 

[Bandit]

IIRC European legislation says pump out and all boats must be built with a black water tank and the ability to pump out.

Ireland, Norfolk broads and I understand Germany all pup out, I assume Holland do?

We did a week on the Canal du Midi on a bare boat charter from the Med up past Carcasonne. Most of the time we were in Marinas or towns fitted out with moorings. I saw the pump out point on the boat for the hose and I enquired of the french chap who did the handover where the shore stations were? He replied oh there are none just pump out in the canal, but the lock keepers dont like you discharging into the locks!

So as usual the EU brings in the strict legislation and the French ignore it.

What goes in to the highest part of the Canal du Midi finds its way to the see down through the locks and canals. When you are locking up hill the person at the bow gets covered in a fine mist and spray from the sluice gates, very reassuring.

 

[henryf]

How long can everyone last with their black water tank? With just two of us three days is all we can manage

We have the ability to choose where each of the toilets discharges to independently. So we set up 1 toilet for wee which pumps out into the sea. The other toilet for solids goes into the holding tank. That way you don't waste capacity on fresh flushing water mixed in with a bit of Budweiser.

Henry

 

[BartW]

In Porto Montenegro there is a service for pumping out the holding tanks, FOC,
the guy comes with a big hose, and there are several connection points for that on each quay.
but tbh, I don't see that frequenly used. despite the huge number of permanent crew on boats.

the marine is not enclosed with a breackwall or something, the outside quay sits on concrete pillars, just above see water level.
so the water from the marina is permanently mixed with the water from the complete bay, which makes that the seawater in the marina is surprisingly clear (when looking at sea bottom, fishes, lazy lines, etc...)

we dump our black tank each time we sail out, (or leave a Anchorage), its part of the routine,
but that is not at 6miles out rather 600m out ;-)