Capacity of black water tank?

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

We've assisted police in marine investigations and ran a few training courses for them. Our water cops know little about boats and less about laws pertaining to boats but they do have their POC Cards.

Well, thank heavens for that .

[jcorsican]

Go composting.

Apathy is very empowering.

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by jcorsican

Go composting.

Apathy is very empowering.

Does that mean that anyone who disagrees with you is apathetic ?

[Amapola]

Amapola's holding tank is 110 gallons (48' long range trawler).

[Leakie Marine]

I have heard of these valves referred to as the nighttime, outgoing tide switch!

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by jcorsican

Go composting.

Apathy is very empowering.

I agree with your first sentence, but I'm not clear how "apathy" is a factor here...?

[Dooglas]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

I should note that my current boat came with a 3-way valve that allowed direct discharge, or emptying of the holding tank. I never disabled it, and did travel for many years on the Great Lakes. No one ever even asked about it.

My experiences have mostly been in US and Canadian waters on the Pacific Coast. I have been boarded several times over the years by the US Coast Guard for "safety inspections" at coastal public docks and while under way in waters in and near Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands. A couple of times these inspections included searches as part of a drug interdiction program. In every case this has included inspection of sanitation equipment to confirm that I was in compliance with no discharge zone rules. I was recently aboard a friend's boat in Northern Puget Sound when we were boarded by the USCG for such an inspection. He did not have his discharge valve and overboard pump "locked out". He was issued a citation with instructions that the fine would be waived if he checked in at the Port Townsend USCG station to have a compliant "lock out" system inspection. He did this and was not fined. My experience certainly is that in US waters, you would be well advised to comply with this requirement.

[Mickeyrouse]

A friend of mine made his system perfectly legal. It was only 5 gallons- out of stainless.

[chef2sail]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

120 liters here. Way too small for Great Lakes cruising. Used carefully it will last a few days with 4 or 5 people on board. Which is more or less good enough in areas where you can dump the tank 9 miles off, and/or where there are many pumpouts.

I think for normal cruising areas (not the Great Lakes), the black water tank should be sized to last about as long as the water tankage. For us, that's a week if water is used not that carefully.

Another alternative is LectraSan. We had that on the last boat, and it was brilliant. Can't be used in no-discharge zones though.

Is that legal?

[nofacey]

From my perspective, you need enough capacity to handle normal crew for a week (while cruising, we were seldom in a marina longer than that).

Given that, tank size will still vary with both how many people live onboard with you, and how much each toilet uses per flush. With 2 people aboard, using Vacuflush toilets (= low flow), 40 gal was usually good for a week.
- using marina toilets helps, if weather & distance to toilet are convenient.
- one good party with land lubbers can fill her up quick!

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by Dooglas

My experience certainly is that in US waters, you would be well advised to comply with this requirement.

Yes, this seems to agree with the reports on CF. American LEOs seem particularly 'anal' about all this stuff. On the Canadian side, it doesn't seem to be so much of an issue -- certainly not in my experience.

I wonder why this is the case. Is it due to higher population density south of the border? Or is it due to simply being more police activity?

[coopec43]

Originally Posted by SailingHarmonie

Ontario has no sea coast at all, on fresh water lakes. Now does the rule make sense?

No I am confused But let's move on,
(I'd love to visit Canada one day)

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by chef2sail

Is that legal?

In the U.S., at least last time I checked, Lectra San treated sewage can be discharged anywhere except in a non-discharge zone.


This method of treatment is not recognized in European waters so the device is not popular here. Also, there are no toilet police here.


My experience in Florida in the early part of this century was that having a Lectra San on board gave instant immunity from the toilet cops, who would disappear almost instantly, sometimes just upon hearing the name. I was VERY happy to have it.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

Yes, this seems to agree with the reports on CF. American LEOs seem particularly 'anal' about all this stuff. On the Canadian side, it doesn't seem to be so much of an issue -- certainly not in my experience.

I wonder why this is the case. Is it due to higher population density south of the border? Or is it due to simply being more police activity?

Different law enforcement culture, I would say.


Also I guess someone made a decision somewhere to enforce the rules intensely and treat cruisers as suspects. Almost everywhere else, sewage discharge from small boats is on the honor system.

[coopec43]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

In the U.S., at least last time I checked, Lectra San treated sewage can be discharged anywhere except in a non-discharge zone.

This method of treatment is not recognized in European waters so the device is not popular here. Also, there are no toilet police here.

My experience in Florida in the early part of this century was that having a Lectra San on board gave instant immunity from the toilet cops, who would disappear almost instantly, sometimes just upon hearing the name. I was VERY happy to have it.

I know nothing about them but:

https://www.raritaneng.com/media/pdf.../L270v0404.pdf