On Tue, 29 Jul 2003 20:55:25 -0700, in message

"Steve" wrote:

The pump out pump unit has a coin slot, like the old pinball machines and
takes 8 quarters ($2). Not bad considering that the commercial marina dock,
30 miles away charges $6 for a pump out.

The whole deal sounds like a bargain to me, and a process that could
easily be explained in international symbols on a very simple sign. I
normally expect to pay CDN$8 (the bargain club member's fee) to CDN$15
or so for a pump out in eastern Lake Ontario.

It may be different economics in salt water where dumping it in the
water is a legal alternative not too far out of many harbours.

[PortaPottie process confusing and "expensive"]

Has anyone come across a system/setup like this?? How would you recommend
that this manager correct his situation??

Good signage and education.

Ryk

x-no-archive:yes Peggie Hall wrote:

Terry Spragg wrote:
As I understood it once, long ago, regulations required
commercial marinas to offer free pump out as part of their
licensing procedure.

Not true. However, a maximum charge of $5 was/is a condition of
receiving a federal grant to install a pumpout under the Clean Vessel
Act of 1992.

Contrary to what many people believe, maintaining pumpout equipment is
VERY expensive. Boat owners are highly destructive to self-service
pumpouts...minimum wage dock hands aren't much better...and except in
marinas that have access to sewer, the cost of pumper truck service for
the inground storage tanks can run several thousand $$ a month. Why do
you think so many pumpouts on any body of water aren't working half the
time? Ask your marina manager what it costs him to operate and
maintain his pumpout equipment...the number will stagger you.

In Maryland (according to our first marina owner) the state gave him a
grant to put in the equipment and get rid of what he collected and in
return he could not charge more than $5.00 per pumpout. He also had
to keep records of who he pumped out I think. Before this went into
effect, or for marinas that didn't buy into the program, they could
charge what they wanted to. I know one across the river (still in
Maryland - we were on the Patuxent then) that charged $20.00 @



grandma Rosalie

I agree with your assessment.

The funny thing is that here in New England (at least MA and ME), I've never heard of
paying for pumpouts. DownEast it isn't needed with 12 foot tides and the 3-mile limit
over your shoulder. Towns that really care, like Vineyard Haven and Edgartown have free
pumpout boats. And marinas and fuel docks do it as a courtesy.


"Glenn Ashmore" wrote in message
...
In my survey last year of pump outs between Charleston and the St. Johns
river I found that more than half of the subsidized pump outs were out
of service more than 3 months out of the previous 12. The $5 limit did
not give them enough income to pay for maintenance and the additioal
sewer fees the local water authorities slap them with.

The privately financed pump outs averaged $20 with some $25. Only one
gave complementary pump outs to customers. I think that was Ortega
Marina on the St. John.

Peggie Hall wrote:
Terry Spragg wrote:

As I understood it once, long ago, regulations required
commercial marinas to offer free pump out as part of their
licensing procedure.


Not true. However, a maximum charge of $5 was/is a condition of
receiving a federal grant to install a pumpout under the Clean Vessel
Act of 1992.

Contrary to what many people believe, maintaining pumpout equipment is
VERY expensive. Boat owners are highly destructive to self-service
pumpouts...minimum wage dock hands aren't much better...and except in
marinas that have access to sewer, the cost of pumper truck service for
the inground storage tanks can run several thousand $$ a month. Why do
you think so many pumpouts on any body of water aren't working half the
time? Ask your marina manager what it costs him to operate and
maintain his pumpout equipment...the number will stagger you.

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


Our government is tasked with public health

and has a mandate to ensure public toilets are available and
maintained for the public and environment's good as required.
Additional free pumpouts were to be available for tourists as
required, financed by COC's and municipalities benefitting from
tourists at anchor. Around here, there is developing opposition
to shopping malls offering overnighters sewer dumps or even
snooze stops. Local campgrounds are full, but they greedily want
to exclude anyone not paying them from driving on the roads or
even stopping for lunch with campers. It is a highway safety
issue if you ask me, and a stupidity issue, like border tarrifs.

All marinas charge enough for gas they could afford it, like
highway gas stations do. As I recall the arguement against non
higway gas untaxing was to do with environmental protection
service obligations and costs, which agency might love to hear
about this. They need a good prize fight.

Or does war cost so much it is economically impossible?

Complain to justice, sue for your 2 dollars back and 4,998 bucks
in punitive damages. The 'manager' should be required to return
all such fees, and should spend a weekend in the stocks.




--
Glenn Ashmore

I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack
there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com
Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com