It's the Law: On the Water
Discharge of Oil and Other Hazardous
Substances
 It is illegal to discharge oil or hazardous substances.- You are not allowed to dump oil into the bilge of the vessel without means for proper disposal.
- You must dispose of oil waste at an approved reception facility. On recreational vessels, a bucket or bailer is adequate for temporary storage.
- If your vessel is 26 feet or longer, you must display a 5 x 8-inch placard at the bilge pump control station stating the Federal Water Pollution Control Act's law.
Discharge of Waste
 Houseboats must have a wastewater holding system to prevent the discharge of waste into the water. Michigan law prohibits discharge of any sewage, treated or untreated, into the fresh waters of Michigan.- If you have a recreational vessel with installed toilet facilities, it must have an operable marine sanitation device (MSD) on board. All installed devices must be U.S. Coast Guard—certified and working properly.
Types of MSDs
There are three types of MSDs.
- Types I and II MSDs are usually found on large boats. Waste is treated with special chemicals to kill bacteria. The "Y" valve must be secured so that waste cannot be discharged into the water.
- Type III MSDs, the simplest and most common,
consist of holding tanks or portable toilets. Waste is to be taken ashore and disposed of in a pump-out facility station.
Discharge of Trash
It is illegal to dump refuse, garbage, or plastics into any state or federally controlled waters. Many forms of litter can kill birds, fish, and marine mammals.
- You must store trash in a container while on board and place it in a proper receptacle after returning to shore.
- If boating on federally controlled waters and your vessel is 26 feet or longer, you must display a Garbage Disposal Placard that is at least 4 x 9 inches and notifies passengers and crew about discharge restrictions.
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