Waste Holding Tank - Law in the Med?

[Ben998]

Hi All,
I have had a bit of a search through the old posts and haven't been able to find anything on the actual law requirements of having a holding tank fitted when cruising in the Med.
It seems to be fairly common thought that legislation will be introduced eventually stating that holding tanks will be required for sailing in UK waters, but does anyone know if it is actual law for the Med - or does it vary from country to country? I suppose if its law in one country then its going to make sense to fit one..

Thanks in advance for any help,

cheers,
Ben

 

[gerry99]

Hiya Ben, I found myself in the same situation, but do remember that many marina's would not let you in unless you had a tank fitted so you may be abelt o get advice from marina's you plan to visit

 

[paulskent]

As a point of interest I have a Ben 331 which has a holding tank which can be emptied through the toilet outlet, when you are at a point at which you deem it suitable to do so.

One of my meighbours on the Marina has a brand new Benny 323 and his holding tank does not have this facility. He only has one way to get rid of his waste and that is to get it pumped out. He has no sea outlets at all. Apparently when he asked to have the non pumpout option from Beneteau his request was refused.

 

[jerryat]

Hi gerry99,

This is new one on me. We cruised in the Med (and Caribbean) for over seven years before coming back to the UK for our major refit at the end of 2003. Whilst we hardly ever used marinas in the Med. (except for over-wintering) neither we, nor any of our friends were ever asked about holding tanks. Was your experience just in a particular area?

We do, as it happens, have a holding tank - fitted because we were told before we left that it was now a requirement in some countries, particularly if you were at anchor in a harbour.

Never got asked in that situation either!!

Cheers Jerry

 

[Gypsy]

I have cruised in Italy, Croatia, Greece and Turkey. They all have rules/laws about the protection of their harbours and seasides from toilet waste and some are very tough on "grey" water from galley's and showers. I have not seen it written that a holding tank is manadatory in these countries but of course it is the only practical answer. However I think I have only ever seen one "pump-out" facility in the last 3 seasons of cruising. The normal method, and that which I believe is accepted by many if not all of these countries, is that you can dump your waste when you are off-shore 3nm or more.

There have been articles in the sailing press about some of Turkey's port police being VERY tough on people who do not strictly comply, even for the grey water and have handed out on the spot fines, but I have no personal experience.

No matter what the law is, just think about how you would like to be swimming in a sheltered bay with your own or other's black waste being dumped there!! Holding tanks are a must!

My boat is fitted with both pump-out from the deck and dump to sea which is what I would recommend as it is possible that pump-out could be a requirement in the future for some areas.

By the way, I have never been asked by a marina whether we had a holding tank however there have often been signs or printed marina regulations which refer to the prohibition of dumping waste in the marina/port.

Ray

 

[Twister_Ken]

Whatever. But I know somewhere on the French Med coast without mains sewerage, so every house (and there are hundreds of them) has got a septic tank, and they drain into little streams which empty onto pretty little beaches. Pretty but smelly.

 

[RichardPerou]

We carry a porta potti. Cheap and easy.

 

[jamesjermain]

I think you'll find there is very little legislation requiring the fitting of holding tanks but an awful lot about not pumping black and grey water into the sea within x miles of the shore.

So, you either have to develop remarkable bladder/bowel control or fit tanks. In the Eastern Med on the spot fines are common and severe and you won't see daylight 'till they are paid. I think France, Italy and Spain may still be a bit more relaxed. But there are still lots of local regs and Port Captains tend to be laws unto themselves

 

[Ben998]

Thanks for all the replys and advice. I think I'll probably install one now and at least its done and one less thing to worry about.

cheers,
Ben

 

[gerry99]

Hiya Jerry, I too have a holding tank and the yacht I was sailing in the med did too - I saw mention of the requirement on a tourist website but for the life of me I cannot find it now. I did a bareboat charter in Greece last year - from Sunsail - so they may be able to offer a response given that they operate in lots of the med.