1&2 Introduction
Educational Objectives
3 The Boat
Terminology
Boat Types
Measuring Length
Hull designs
Types of hulls
Propulsion
Carbon Monoxide
Capacity Plate
Engine Systems
Checklist
Review Quiz - 3
4 Legal Requirements
Who May Operate
Registration and Numbering
Hull ID Number
Required Equipment
Personal Flotation Devices
Navigation Lights
Fire Extinguishers
Ventilation
Backfire Flame Arrestor
Sound Producing Device
Visual Distress Signals
Pollution Regulations
MSDs
No Discharge Zones
Aquatic Nuisance Species
Recommended Equipment
Review Quiz- 4
5 Preparation
Vessel Check List
Trailering
Environmental Conditions
Leeway
Tide and Current
Local Hazards
Float Plan
Preventive Maintenance
Fueling
Review Quiz-5
6 Operations
Operator responsibility
Homeland Security
BUI
Navigation Rules
Definitions
Proper Lookout
Seamanship
Sound Signals
Rules of the Road
Meeting & Crossing
Commercial Vessels
Restricted Visibility
Aids to Navigation
Review Quiz-6
7 Getting Underway
Line Handling
Docking/Undocking
Maneuvering Underway
Anchoring
Water Sports
Hunting and Fishing
Swimming
Diving and Snorkling
Paddle Sports
Skiing and Towing
Personal Watercraft
Review Quiz-7
8 Accidents
Fatal Vs Non-fatal
Accident Reports
Crew Overboard
Assistance from Shore
Hypothermia
Fires on Board
First Aid
Rendering Assistance
Running Aground
Review Quiz-8
9 Special Items
Vessel Repairs
Locks
Dams
Security
Sailing
Review Quiz-9
State Requirements
Final Exam

Chapter IV - Legal RequirementsSection 2f - Pollution

Pollution Regulations

You might think that environmental regulations to protect the waters from pollution were enacted in recent years. In actuality, the “Refuse Act of 1899” was designed to prohibit throwing, discharging or depositing any refuse matter of any kind (including trash, garbage, oil and other liquid pollutants) into the waters of the United States. Violations are subject to substantial civil penalties and/or criminal sanctions, including fine and imprisonment.

Oil and Hazardous Substances

The Federal Water Pollution Control Act prohibits the discharge of oil or hazardous substances which may be harmful into U.S. navigable water. Vessels 26 feet in length and over must display a placard at least 5 by 8 inches, made of durable material, fixed in a conspicuous place in the machinery spaces, or at the bilge pump control station, stating the following.

Regulations issued under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act require all vessels with propulsion machinery to have a capacity to retain oily mixtures on board. A fixed or portable means to discharge oily waste to a reception facility is required. A bucket or bailer is suitable as a portable means of discharging oily waste on recreational vessels. No person may intentionally drain oil or oily waste from any source into the bilge of any vessel.

You must immediately notify the U.S. Coast Guard if your vessel discharges oil or hazardous substances in the water. Call toll-free 800-424-8802 (In Washington, D.C. (202) 267-2675). Report the following information:

Regulations Controlling Disposal of Garbage

The U.S. Coast Guard regulations prohibit dumping of plastic refuse, and garbage mixed with plastic, into any waters. These restrictions apply to all U.S. vessels where ever they operate (except waters under the exclusive jurisdiction of a State), and any foreign vessels operating in U.S. waters out to and including the Exclusive Economic Zone (200 miles).

What is dunnage, etc.?

Your Obligations

Do not dispose of plastic in any waters. Learn and conform to the regulations regarding disposal of other garbage. For instance, it is illegal within three nautical miles to operate a garbage disposal in a galley sink if it discharges that garbage - even ground up garbage. To make it easier to comply, you might want to separate garbage according to the disposal limitations.

State and local regulations may further restrict the disposal of garbage. Make sure you know the regulations covering the waters upon which you will be boating.

SOS Placard

Boats 26 feet in length and over must display a Save Our Seas Placard which outlines the rules of dumping waste offshore. These placards may be purchased from local marinas, boat dealers, and marine equipment suppliers.

Waste Management Plans

U.S. recreational boats 40 feet or more in length and equipped with a galley and berthing are required to carry a Waste Management Plan if the vessel operates, or is certified to operate, beyond 3 nautical miles from shore.

The Waste Management Plan, identifying the boat's name and homeport, should be posted and include directives to all passengers and/or crew about:

• Discharge of sewage and hazardous substances
• Discharge of garbage and other food waste
• Disposal of plastics, bottles, and cans
• Applicable placards for additional information
• Advising the captain in case of oily discharges or diesel spills

(For more optional information on Waste Management.)

Marine Sanitation Devices

Recreational boats are not required to be equipped with a toilet. However, the “Clean Water Act” of 1972 (amended 1987) requires that if a toilet is installed, it must be equipped with an operable Marine Sanitation Device (MSD) that is certified by the Coast Guard. Installed toilets that are not equipped with an MSD, and that discharge raw sewage directly over the side, are illegal.

Portable toilets or "porta-potties" are not considered installed toilets and are not subject to the MSD regulations. But they are subject to disposal regulations that prohibit the disposal of raw sewage within territorial waters (3 mile limit), the Great Lakes, or navigable rivers.

This symbol is used to show boaters where onshore pump out services are located. You will need to locate a marina displaying this symbol if you use a portable toilet or Type III MSD holding tank on your boat.

No Discharge Zones

A boat can be equipped with any type of MSD permitted under the regulations. However, whenever a vessel equipped with a Type I or Type II MSD (these types discharge treated sewage) is operating in an area of water that has been declared a No Discharge Zone, the MSD cannot be used and must be secured to prevent discharge. No Discharge Zones are areas of water that require greater environmental protection and where even the discharge of treated sewage could be harmful. When operating in a No Discharge Zone, a Type I or Type II MSD must be secured in some way to prevent discharge. Closing the seacock and padlocking, using a non-releasable wire-tie, or removing the seacock handle would be sufficient. Locking the door to the head with a padlock or a door handle key lock is another acceptable method of securing the MSD while in a No Discharge Zone.

Generally, all Inland waters, freshwater lakes (and similar freshwater impoundments or reservoirs that have no navigable connections with other bodies of water), and rivers not capable of interstate vessel traffic, are by definition considered No Discharge Zones and discharge of human waste is prohibited..

In addition, States may (with the specific approval of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) establish No Discharge Zones in other waters within the State. Currently, the following States have established such EPA-approved No Discharge Zones:

Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Maine, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia and Wisconsin.

Information from the EPA website, last updated on Tuesday, November 29th, 2005
http://www.epa.gov/owow/oceans/regulatory/vessel_sewage/vsdnozone.html

The above list may not be all-inclusive as others States are either planning or have received approved no discharge zones. Boaters should check with their State Boating Law authority for more specific information on the location and limits of No Discharge Zones.

Discharge of Raw Sewage

It is illegal to discharge raw sewage from a vessel in territorial waters (within the 3 mile limit), the Great Lakes, and navigable rivers. However, a Y-valve may be installed on any MSD to provide for the direct discharge of raw sewage when the vessel is outside U.S. territorial waters. The valve must be secured in a closed position while operating in U.S. waters. As described under NO DISCHARGE ZONES, use of a padlock, nonreleasable wire-tie, or the removal of the valve handle would be considered adequate securing of the device. The method chosen must be one that presents a physical barrier to the use of the valve.

NOTE: The boundaries of U.S. territorial waters are marked on some nautical charts. Changes to the boundaries are published in Coast Guard Local Notices to Mariners.

Special MSD Rules May Affect Houseboats

Your Responsibilities

If you observe any boat not complying with these regulations regarding water pollution, report it to the nearest Coast Guard Marine Safety Office (MSO). To locate the MSO near you, call the toll free Coast Guard Hotline -- 1-800-368 5647.

Hazardous Waste

Whether you realize it or not we come into contact with hazardous waste on almost a daily basis. Take out all the cleaning and maintenance products on your boat and read the instructions on the back. These products might include cleaners, paints, solvents, varnishes, fuel and antifreeze. You might be surprised that the labels strongly caution on the uses of the materials and the methods of disposal. Most however just describe the method of disposal as “according to local and state laws”. Problem is the average boater doesn’t know where to find the disposal rules. You should first contact your local public works department or you can go to http://www.earth911.org for disposal information.

You can lessen the impact that you place on the environment by substituting biodegradable products such as the following:

Aquatic nuisance species (ANS)

Aquatic nuisance species (ANS) are non-indigenous species that threaten the diversity or abundance of native aquatic species. Two such ANS are the Zebra mussel and the Quagga mussel. Great Lakes water users spend tens of millions of dollars on zebra mussel control every year. Zebra mussel infestations cause pronounced ecological changes in the Great Lakes and major rivers of the central United States.

Non-indigenous aquatic nuisance plants, such as purple loosestrife, Eurasian water milfoil and hydrilla quickly establish themselves replacing native plants.

Environmental and economic problems caused by the dense growth of these weeds include impairment of water-based recreation, navigation, flood control, water quality and fish and wildlife habitat.

Boaters should be conscientious when pulling their boats from recreational waters. You should inspect the boat and trailer, while still in the ramp area, and remove any suspected ANS and mud in order to eliminate the spread to other waters that may be visited.

Please consult with your State marine patrol and local marinas to identify non-indigenous species in your area.

For more information on Impacts of Aquatic Non-indigenous Species, click on this link.: http://www.protectyourwaters.net/impacts.php

Previous Page

Next Page