Turkey - Advice on black & grey water needed?

[ChantalReed]

Hi

We are off to Turkey next summer for 3 months, having never sailed there before.

From all my reading, I understand the position regarding black water, pumping out and the blue card. However I have read some scary things about grey water, ie shower and washing up water.... and am trying to understand the position, as we do not have any holding tanks connected to our showers/sinks.

Is it illegal to empty grey water out into the sea in Turkey?
If yes, how strict are the authorities and any ideas on the fines?
Does the Blue Card cover grey water as well as black, if not how do they know where/how you have emptied the grey water?

Thank you. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Irish Rover]

Like many other rules and regulations in Turkey this is another very grey area - pun intended. As far as I can determine it is illegal to discharge any waste water in Turkish waters either inshore or offshore. The regulations apparently envisage every boat having a black water and a grey water tank. In reality very few boats have a grey water tank and in my experience most boats are still discharging grey water to the sea without any problem - truthfully I'd say most are discharging black water offshore as well. What is certain is you MUST have a blue card and you should get a pump-out recorded reasonably regularly. Inspection of boats by the TCG has become much more frequent in the last few years because of the prevalence of people smuggling and migrants trying to get to Greece. Even though most of the local coast guard officers would know my boat [they are based inside Setur Marina] I've been inspected 4 or 5 times in the last 2 years and maybe once in the previous 12 or 13 years. They ask to see the Blue Card but I'm not sure if they have readers or don't bother but in my case at least it has never been read. I've never heard of them checking to see what waste tanks a boat has or has not.
My advice would be:
- make sure you get a Blue Card when you check-in,
- get a pump-out recorded reasonable regularly - in some marinas they can record a pump-out without your boat being anywhere near the PO station
- don't take showers on board in the marina [all marinas have good shower facilities]
- enjoy Turkey.
Prompted by your post I called my local marina and asked if they have the regulations in writing or a link in English or Turkish. They kindly offered to answer any questions I might have which I declined as I know the answers will be different if I call back tomorrow and speak to someone else. They will try to find a link for me and call back but I'm not holding my breath waiting.

 

[ChantalReed]

Like many other rules and regulations in Turkey this is another very grey area - pun intended. As far as I can determine it is illegal to discharge any waste water in Turkish waters either inshore or offshore. The regulations apparently envisage every boat having a black water and a grey water tank. In reality very few boats have a grey water tank and in my experience most boats are still discharging grey water to the sea without any problem - truthfully I'd say most are discharging black water offshore as well. What is certain is you MUST have a blue card and you should get a pump-out recorded reasonably regularly. Inspection of boats by the TCG has become much more frequent in the last few years because of the prevalence of people smuggling and migrants trying to get to Greece. Even though most of the local coast guard officers would know my boat [they are based inside Setur Marina] I've been inspected 4 or 5 times in the last 2 years and maybe once in the previous 12 or 13 years. They ask to see the Blue Card but I'm not sure if they have readers or don't bother but in my case at least it has never been read. I've never heard of them checking to see what waste tanks a boat has or has not.
My advice would be:
- make sure you get a Blue Card when you check-in,
- get a pump-out recorded reasonable regularly - in some marinas they can record a pump-out without your boat being anywhere near the PO station
- don't take showers on board in the marina [all marinas have good shower facilities]
- enjoy Turkey.
Prompted by your post I called my local marina and asked if they have the regulations in writing or a link in English or Turkish. They kindly offered to answer any questions I might have which I declined as I know the answers will be different if I call back tomorrow and speak to someone else. They will try to find a link for me and call back but I'm not holding my breath waiting.

Brilliant, thank you so much, I will follow your advice and cant wait to explore Turkey.

 

[Irish Rover]

Here's a link to the only official information I could find about the Blue Card - won't be much help to you I'm afraid
http://mavikart.cevre.gov.tr/brosurler/blue_card_English.pdf

 

[ChantalReed]

Here's a link to the only official information I could find about the Blue Card - won't be much help to you I'm afraid
http://mavikart.cevre.gov.tr/brosurler/blue_card_English.pdf

thank you.... everything helps!

 

[satsuma]

Hi

We are off to Turkey next summer for 3 months, having never sailed there before.

From all my reading, I understand the position regarding black water, pumping out and the blue card. However I have read some scary things about grey water, ie shower and washing up water.... and am trying to understand the position, as we do not have any holding tanks connected to our showers/sinks.

Is it illegal to empty grey water out into the sea in Turkey?
If yes, how strict are the authorities and any ideas on the fines?
Does the Blue Card cover grey water as well as black, if not how do they know where/how you have emptied the grey water?

Thank you. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

When you get your blue card, you will be asked for the dimensions/capacities of your vessel. When they ask for your grey tank size, tell them you dont have one, the pretence is that you gather your grey waste in your black tank!
As has been said, grey is commonly discharged to the sea, but be sensible about when and where you discharge. I generally do the washing up at night when it cant be seen, even in the marina!
Popular misconception is that the blue card is for toilet waste. It is for all waste, so if you do an oil change, coolant change etc, get it recorded on the blue card too.

I myself have only just got a blue card recently (2 years) although ive been here for the duration of the blue card, never used it before this year, only do it now because its free at the marina.
I have even sold two boats in my time in Turkey with an empty blue card, no issues with harbourmasters or any other officialdom. Never been asked for it, although I was on a friends boat once when he was challenged, the coastguard said he thought it was only for Turkish boats! I have only ever heard rumours of fines for discharging in Turkish waters, never actually met anyone who has been fined, cautioned or arrested. Never been challenged myself, even when extending the transit log, or checking out of Turkey. Other than the marina who insist it is high on the coastguards list and you must pump out periodically, which is probably not the worst advice!