Pumping out sewage into the tidal Medway

[ikga33]

Hi,

I have just had a verbal run in with someone over the rules and regulations of pumping out sewage into the tidal Medway. As far as I am aware this is legal, and you only need a licence to do so if you are a commercial vessel.

Can anyone please clarify this for me, and it would be great if anyone could find it written down so that I can wave it in front on her!

Cheers,

Chris

 

[Swagman]

I'd started to think 'sorry can't help you' - but then began to question why anyone wants to support the idea of dumping poo into a river - albeit tidal.
Just because something is legal does not always mean it is right.
JOHN

 

[pragmatist]

Haven't sailed the Medway for some years but was not aware of any pump out facilities when we were there. And in many rivers the effluent from the surrounding landlubbers is pumped directly into the river - it's only recently stopped in the River Dart, for example.

So it may not be right but unless there is equitable treatment for boaters or facilities to correct the problem, what are you supposed to do ? (cross your legs ?!)

 

[sailorman]

contact you local water / sewerage Co

 

[hairbox]

12 miles offshore

 

[Bejasus]

how could you tell in the Medway /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[duncan]

From the RYA site -

Disposal of Boat Sewage - The Legal Situation

The disposal of sewage at sea is regulated by IMO through Annex IV of the MARPOL 73/78 convention. This does not apply to small craft carrying less than 15 passengers. However, there may be local regulations or bylaws that cover internal waters. Internal waters are those waters that are landward of the ‘baseline’ which joins prominent points of land along the coast – estuaries, etc.

Disposal of sewage at sea is therefore a value judgment. The Green Blue would advise that yachtsmen adhere to the principles of best practice which are set out in the following section.

Any sewage discharge into an inland waterways is offensive and prohibited by law on most waterways. On entering inland waterways, navigation authorities require that sea toilets be sealed. This is regulated under the Boat Safety Scheme. Sea toilets must be diverted into holding tanks, and any overboard discharge line sealed, usually by switching off a valve present in the discharge line.

There are no restrictions on discharging greywater from sinks, showers etc, neither is this an issue anywhere in Europe