It's the Law: On the Water with Your Vessel

Discharge of Oil and Other Hazardous Substances

• You are not allowed to discharge oil or hazardous substances.
• You may not dump oil into the vessel’s bilge without means for proper disposal. On recreational vessels, a bucket or bailer is adequate.
• You must discharge oil waste to a reception facility.

If boating on federal waters and your vessel is 26 feet or longer, you must display a “Discharge of Oil Prohibited” placard made of durable material, fixed in a conspicuous place in the machinery spaces or at the bilge pump control station. You must immediately notify the U.S. Coast Guard if your vessel discharges oil or hazardous substances in the water. Call toll-free 1-800-424-8802.

Discharge of Trash

It is illegal to dump garbage and plastics into federally controlled or state waters. Many forms of litter can kill birds, fish, and marine mammals.

• You should store trash in a container on board and place it in a proper receptacle after returning to shore.
• If boating on federal waters, you must display a Garbage Disposal Placard in a prominent location on vessels 26 feet or longer. The Garbage Disposal Placard is a durable sign at least 4 x 9 inches that notifies passengers and crew about discharge restrictions.

Discharge of Waste

If you have a recreational vessel with installed toilet facilities, it must have an operable, U.S. Coast Guard–certified marine sanitation device (MSD) on board.

• All vessels 26 feet or more in length which have an enclosed cabin with sleeping facilities, must be equipped with a toilet if on Florida state waters. On a vessel other than a houseboat, the toilet may be portable or a permanently installed toilet properly attached to a MSD.
• Every houseboat must be equipped with at least one permanently installed toilet properly attached to a Type III MSD.

Types of MSDs

Type III MSD: Consists of holding tanks or portable toilets. Type III MSDs have the least effect on the environment since the waste is to be discharged on shore into a local sewage treatment facility. Type II MSD*: Required for vessels 65 feet and longer and use a combination of maceration, septic treatment, and chemical treatment to kill bacteria just prior to discharge. Type I MSD*: For vessels over 26 feet and under 65 feet and use a combination of maceration and chemical treatment to kill bacteria just prior to discharge. *There may be a “Y” valve that directs untreated waste material for discharge or directs waste material for treatment prior to discharge. The “Y” valve must be secured to direct waste to the MSD at all times within Florida waters (3 miles or the edge of the Gulf Stream, whichever is greater, off the Atlantic coast or 9 miles off the Gulf of Mexico coast).