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
boat without means for proper disposal.
- You must discharge oil waste to a reception facility.
On recreational boats, a bucket or bailer is adequate.
- If your boat is 26 feet or longer you must display a
5 x 8-inch placard near the bilge pump switch stating the
Federal Water Pollution Control Act's law.
Discharge of Waste
 Houseboats must have a waste-water holding system to
prevent the discharge of waste into the water. South Carolina
law prohibits discharge of any sewage, treated or untreated,
into the state's freshwaters.- If you have a recreational boat 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.
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
before the waste is discharged. Types I and II MSDs with "Y" valves
that would direct the waste overboard must be secured so
that the valve cannot be opened. This can be done by placing
a lock or non-reusable seal on the "Y" valve
or by taking the handle off the "Y" valve in
a closed position.
- Type III MSDs provide no treatment and are either holding
tanks or portable toilets. Collected waste should be taken
ashore and disposed of in a pump-out station or onshore
toilet.
Discharge of Trash
 It
is illegal to dump garbage and plastics into federally controlled
or state waters.
- 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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