 It's the Law: On the Water
Discharge
of Waste
If you have a vessel with installed toilet facilities, it must
have an operable marine sanitation device (MSD).
- Vessels 65 feet or less in
length may use a Type
I, II or III MSD.
- Vessels more than 65 feet
in
length must install a Type II or III
MSD.
Types of MSDs
There are three types of MSDs.
- Types I and II MSDs are usually found on large
vessels. Waste is treated with special chemicals to kill
bacteria. The “Y” valve must remain secured.
- Type III MSDs provide no treatment and consist of holding tanks or portable toilets. Waste is
to be discharged on shore into a pump-out facility.
Discharge of Oil and Other
Hazardous Substances
- You are not allowed to discharge oil or hazardous substances into the water.
- 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 prior to disposing of the oil waste at an approved facility.- If boating on federally controlled waters and your vessel is 26 feet or longer, you must display a 5 x 8-inch placard made of durable material, fixed in a conspicuous place in the machinery spaces or at the bilge pump control station, stating the Federal Water Pollution Control Act’s law.
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.
- Vessels on marine waters south of Interstate Highway 10:
- Must have on board a clearly marked, closed container
for proper disposal of waste, trash, and other garbage.
Containers must be sealed and of sufficient size for the
number of people on board and length of the cruise.
- Must display a sign informing all on board that it is
illegal to dispose of waste, trash, and other garbage into
the marine waters of Mississippi.
|
