Keith Hughes wrote:
Peggie,

I would suggest that if there is no mention of 'devices' in the
definition of "Discharge", the the term "emitting" could easily be
construed to include direct human discharge whether there is an interim
device used or not. The definition is literally to "send forth" either
matter or energy.

Theoretically you're correct. However, in actual practice the "emitting"
of waste directly from a body into the water is permitted.

Peggie


Peggie Hall wrote:
Larry wrote:

The regulations about holding tanks and Y valves is for MOUNTED
systems....permanently mounted heads plumbed into the boat. The regs
do NOT cover a Portapotti that is NOT mounted into the boat in a
permanent manner, a "portable device", whether that's a rusty old
bucket, a covered plastic bucket from Dunkin' Donuts (works great,
$1), or a "pretty" Portapottie/Sanipottie. If you have a
stern-mounted 1-holer hangin out over the ocean, that's not covered,
either....like old sailing ships had...(c;


Sorry, Larry, but the regs DO cover discharge of sewage from any
device, installed or not.

Sewage is defined in the CFR as "human body wastes and the wastes from
toilets and other receptacles intended to receive or retain body waste."

Discharge is defined in the CFR as "includes, but is not limited to,
any spilling, leaking, pouring, pumping, emitting, emptying, or dumping."

Note that while "marine sanitation device" is defined as "any
equipment for installation on board a vessel which is designed to
receive, retain, treat, or discharge sewage, and any process to treat
such sewage," there is no mention of marine sanitation devices in the
definition of "discharge."

So although the CFR does require that any vessel that has an installed
toilet also be equipped with either a holding tank or a CG certified
treatment device, the CFR also makes it illegal to discharge raw
sewage from ANY container--portpotty, bucket, or even a coffee cup,
whether it's installed or not--inside the "3 mile limit." And what
isn't covered in MARINE sanition laws is covered by the laws
pertaining to sewage from all sources including those on land.

However, it is NOT illegal to pee into the water from the lee rail or
hang your butt off the stern...it's only illegal to put waste into any
container and empty the container into the water.

I didn't write the law, I'm just the messenger.




--
Peggie
----------
Peggie Hall
Specializing in marine sanitation since 1987
Author "Get Rid of Boat Odors - A Guide To Marine Sanitation Systems and
Other Sources of Aggravation and Odor"
http://shop.sailboatowners.com/books...ku=90&cat=1304