Stephen Baker wrote:
Peggie - on a related subject, I have a friend who is converting a small
powerboat for pump-out duties in the harbour here (RI). Any regs she should
look out for that apply specifically to pump-out boats as opposed to sewage in
general?

Yep...but it's the state and the CG that'll have to tell him what they
are. If he's already begun to convert the boat without first getting all
his legal and regulatory ducks in a row, I wouldn't hold out too much
hope for it to be a successful business...how can he equip the boat to
meet regs if he doesn't know whether his boat meets 'em or even what
they are?

Most states require permits, a business license, liability insurance,
HAZMAT insurance (in case of a spill), some reqire at least a 6-pack
license (pumpout boat is a type of "vessel for hire"), his boat will
become a commercial vessel and therefore subject to the CG regs for
inspected (commercial) vessels...and they may make him submit some kind
of "study" on the impact of the volume of toxic holding tank chemicals
his boat will hold going into the sewage treatment system (I do hope he
doesn't plan to just out beyond 3 miles and dump...that would have a far
worse impact on the environment than if every boat he's pumped out went
to the same location, anchored and flushed directly overboard all day).

Running a pumpout boat can be very time consuming--and expensive...'cuz
unless he also rinses out the tank each time too, he won't be providing
a complete service...how much down time he'll need to empty HIS tank
depends on the size of it...other down time depends on whether he spends
the money for a pump powerful enough to have enough head to pull waste
out of tanks quickly--to pull it out of some boats at all--and how
dedicated he is to preventive maintenance.

I hope he's researched the profitability of going into the mobile
pumpout business...'cuz all of the above--or even part of it--easily
explains why most of 'em have to charge at least $25/scheduled visit to
boats with the smallest tanks and $50 or even more for an emergency
unscheduled call.

Peggie
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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://www.seaworthy.com/html/get_ri...oat_odors.html