I can't seem to get the straight scoop. My Burns does not have a holding tank or treatment system of any kind. When I read the info online DNR states that sewage discharge laws do not apply to boats built before 1977, mine is a 1976. Then on the next line it reads all boats since 1980 and boats before 1976 need MSD1,2 or 3. I want to install a purisan but do not have time before our planned cruise in two weeks. Oh, and to add to the confusion the old guy at west marine told me I was legal as is. Anyone know for sure?

Rob

You are NOT legal as you are!

The Federal Law that went into effect in 1978 states in effect that raw sewage from a boat may NOT be discharged into the water ANYWHERE in the United States. The year of the boat doesn't enter into it any longer. At that time (1978) boaters were given until 1980 to bring their boats up to compliance. Since 1980, any boat that has an installed toilet (head) must have either a holding tank or a Coast Guard-approved treatment system - no exceptions! Type I systems may be used on boats 65 feet or less LOA. Boats over 65 feet LOA may not use a Type I treatment system, but must step up to a Type II system. Holding tanks are legal on boats of all sizes. If you're boarded and the boat's sanitation system isn't in compliance, you could face a $2000.00 fine - although they'll often let you go with a warning, the first time.

Vic Willman, Senior Technical Advisor, Raritan Engineering Co., Inc.
Vic Willman38504.4836805556

Thanks. That is what I thought.

Vic is absolutely right (he always is!). So you're gonna have
make time to do SOMETHING before your planned cruise on the
Chesapeake...'cuz enforcement on the Bay is tight.



I'm not sure which DNR site you read (can you provide a _link_ to it?)...this is the one for the Chesapeake
Bay in MD: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/boating/pumpout/ndz.pdf



Note that although Type I and II MSDs are legal on most of the
Bay, including all VA waters, there are two small "no discharge" areas
in MD waters--Herring Bay (Herrington Harbor Marina Resort is a stop
you'll want to make!) and the Northern Coastal Bay. So you really
should install at least a small tank--15-20 gals (enough to hold you
overnight)--in addition to the PuraSan.










peghall38504.4123263889

OK, so is it possible to install a couple of smaller holding tanks and combine them to use one pump out? My carpet is new and the access holes are small. There is no way a single big tank will fit below deck without serious surgery. Are there any quickly available guides/diagrams on proper holding tank installation. I will have to do something Saturday or not at all.



This is what makes it confusing for some Why should you act now to comply with this law?
First of all, it is the law! All boats built since 1977 with installed toilets must have an operable approved type I, II or III MSD.

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/boating/pumpout/systemsguide/inde x.html
woodboat38504.4253125

It ain't a good idea to raft up two or more tanks for sewage holding. It's OK for potable water tanks but with sewage tanks, the liquid will go over into the second tank but being that the solids float to the top, they'll tend to stay in the first tank and build up a lot of sludge in the first tank.

Also, you usually join the tanks from the bottom of one of the side walls of each tank via appropriate fittings and a short length of hose. That area would be a natural place to form a clog - and how could you clear it?

Finally, in order to pump out the tanks, you could only vent the tank farthest from the pumpout fitting. That would leave the other tank(s) unvented - not a real good situation, as methane could build up in the unvented tank(s) - a potentially explosive situation. If all the tanks were vented, as they should be, but you are using a common pumpout for them, only the one closest to the pumpout would actually be pumped out. You'd have to stop pumping, allow the contents of the tanks to seek their own level, then pump out again - and repeat this process over and over until they were all empty. Wouldn't go over too well with the pumpout attendant or with other boaters waiting in line to be pumped out...

There are ways to do a multi-holding tank installation and have it work, but it takes a fair amount of planning and some pretty inventive plumbing.

I don't feel you're going to be able to come up with a suitable solution by the weekend. You might want to consider adding a Porta-Potty for the time being (< $100.00), then do it properly when you have more time available.

You missed the next sentence: "Since 1980, all boats (including those built before 1977)
with installed toilets must have an operable MSD."



However, I agree...it IS confusing.



And, as Vic said, _link_ing two waste tanks is not a good idea.
While his suggestion of going with a portapotty for now is ok, IMO,
your best option would be to go ahead and get the PuraSan
installed. It will make you legal on 99% of the Bay...Herrington
Harbor will just have to keep till the next time you visit the Bay.
There are plenty of other good places...Annapolis, Solomons Island,
Kent Island, St Michaels...up any of the scenic rivers...even up the
Potomac to DC. You couldn't possibly do 'em all in one visit
anyway.



We can discuss where to put a small tank after you get back and have
time to deal with it. Meanwhile, you MIGHT want to check out the _link_
in my signature. It includes detailed instructions for installing both
toilets and tanks.

Thanks again. I didn't miss the sentence, it in fact sparked my post as the west marine sales told me I was legal yet that sentence implied I was not. The purasn isn't gonna happen by the weekend. there are none in stock and I am not sure I have the cash today. If I stick a small tank in for the weekend is there a good online plumbing diagram to get me through for now? woodboat38504.4762152778