Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Waste, Oil, and Trash Disposal in Ohio and Federal Waters
Discharge of Oil Prohibited (OAC 1501:47-4-02)
You must discharge oil waste to a reception facility.
- All vessels are required to have the capacity to retain oily
mixtures on board. A fixed or portable means to discharge oily
waste to a reception facility is required. A bucket or bailer
is suitable as a portable means of discharging oily waste on
recreational vessels.
- No person may intentionally drain oil or oily waste from any
source into the bilge of any vessel.
- 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
to report spills.
- If your boat is 26 feet or longer, you must display a 5 x
8-inch placard (sign) near the bilge pump switch stating the
Federal Water Pollution Control Act.
Garbage Placard (OAC 1501:47-4-04)
It is illegal to dump plastics anywhere or to discharge garbage
in the navigable waters of the United States including the Great
Lakes.
- You must store trash in a container on board and dispose of
it on shore.
- Vessels 26 feet or longer must display, in a prominent location,
a durable placard at least 4 by 9 inches that notifies the crew
and passengers of the discharge restrictions.
Garbage Disposal Placard
Federal Regulations
Marine Sanitation Device (MSD)
 All recreational vessels with installed toilet facilities must
have an operable marine sanitation device (MSD) on board.
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 before the
waste is discharged.
- The Type III MSD, the simplest and most common, consists of
holding tanks or portable toilets. Waste is to be discharged
on shore into a pump-out station.
Federal regulations specify the type of MSD allowed.
- Vessels 65 feet and under may use a USCG–certified Type
I, II, or III MSD.
- Vessels over 65 feet must install a USCG–certified Type
II or III MSD.
U.S. Coast Guard–certified devices are so labeled except
for some holding tanks, which are certified by definition under
federal regulations.
Waste Management Plan
Ocean-going vessels that are 40 feet or more in length with cooking
and sleeping facilities must have a written Waste Management Plan.
The captain of the vessel is responsible for implementing the
Waste Management Plan.
The Waste Management Plan, identifying the vessel’s name
and home port, should be posted and should include directives to
all persons on board about:
- Discharging sewage and hazardous substances
- Discharging garbage and other food waste
- Disposing of plastics, bottles, and cans
- Reading applicable placards for additional information
- Advising the captain in case of oily discharges or diesel
spills
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