It's the Law: The Environment and Your Vessel
Boaters appreciate the rich natural resources that
abound throughout the waterways of Washington State. However, many people are unaware of the impact boating can have on these unique and treasured resources. Water pollution problems associated with boating include discharges of oil, fuel, sewage, trash, fishing line, toxic cleaning and maintenance products, bottom paints, gray water, aquatic nuisance species, and aquatic invasive species. As a boater, it's your legal responsibility to help protect Washington's aquatic environment.
Discharge of Sewage and Waste
- Sewage discharged from vessels can pose environmental
problems, especially in shallow bays and inlets. Untreated sewage (even if it has been dosed with a deodorant product) MAY NOT be discharged into inland or coastal waters.
- It is important that you treat or dispose of your sewage
properly. If you have a vessel with installed toilet facilities,
it must have an operable marine sanitation device (MSD)
on board and be designed to prevent discharge into the
water. If your vessel does not have installed toilet
facilities, consider carrying a portable toilet.
- All installed MSDs must be
U.S. Coast Guard–certified.
- Discharging treated sewage into coastal waters is permitted but discouraged. Avoid flushing your vessel's toilet in small bays, in marinas, and near shellfish beds.
- Use pump-out stations. Click
here to see pump-out location maps or call 360-902-8844.
Types of MSDs
Types I and II MSDs treat waste
with special chemicals to kill bacteria.
When in waters where sewage cannot be dumped
overboard (for example, any freshwater body of water),
these MSDs must have the “Y” valve secured so that it
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 must be taken ashore and disposed of in a pump-out or dump station or in an onshore toilet.
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Discharge of Oil and Other Hazardous
Substances
- It is illegal to discharge oil, oily waste, hazardous substances, or anything else, into or upon the navigable waters and contiguous zones of the U.S.
- Using soap as a dispersant on an oil spill is illegal, and a
violator may be fined up to $10,000 per day by the state.
Federal fines also may be given.
- 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.
- The Federal Water Pollution Control Act requires that vessels 26 feet or longer display a 5 x 8-inch placard (sign) near the machinery space or at the bilge pump switch, stating the oil discharge prohibition and penalty.
Hazardous Substances and the Boater
No paint or varnish product is environmentally safe,
and all are toxic to both humans and marine life. When
cleaning or painting your vessel, it’s important to protect
the water.
- Minimize your use of toxic materials while the vessel
is in the water. Use biodegradable and low-phosphate
products whenever possible.
- Use an absorbent sponge in your bilge to soak up oil.
Have oil absorbent pads or rags on hand in case of a
spill. When changing engine oil, wipe up any spills
so that the oil isn’t pumped overboard with the bilge
water.
- Use a suspended tarp to catch spills, paint scrapings,
or debris that would end up in the water.
- Inspect your fuel lines periodically. Replace bad ones
with USCG–approved Type A alcohol-resistant, fuel
line hoses.
- Dispose of old antifreeze and oil on shore in a
recycling container.
- Antifouling paint is used to prevent the growth
of organisms on vessel bottoms. Some antifouling
paints use tributyltin, which has been found to cause
abnormal development and reduced reproduction
in marine life. Instead, use a “non-fouling” paint
(silicon-or teflon-based) or a non-abative (copper-based)
antifouling paint.
Discharge of Trash
It is illegal to dump refuse, garbage, or plastics into any state
or federally controlled waters.
You must store trash in a container on board, and place
it in a proper receptacle after returning to shore.
You must display, in a prominent location, a durable
placard (sign) at least 4 x 9 inches on any vessel 26 feet
or longer. It must notify passengers and crew about
the discharge restrictions of the Marine Pollution Act
(MARPOL).
Obtain a placard from a marine supply store or from the:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Marine Debris Information Office
1725 DeSales Street N.W.,
Suite 500
Washington, DC 20036
To help keep our waters clean:
- Carry a trash container on your vessel and empty it
into a trash receptacle on shore.
- Make sure no trash or plastics
are discarded overboard.
Waste Management Plan
Federal law requires ocean-going vessels of 40 feet or
longer with a galley and berth to 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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