the United States Coast Guard issues regulations
for our inland and international
waters.
While there is provision for food waste
comminuted or ground, cleaning agents and
additives in deck and external surfaces wash
water (grey water), discharge of ALL other
garbage including plastics, synthetic ropes,
fishing gear, plastic garbage bags, incinerator
ashes, clinkers, cooking oil, floating dunnage
lining and packing materials, paper,
rags, glass, metal, bottles, crockery and similar
waste is PROHIBITED.
Boats 26 feet or greater in length must
display in a prominent location a durable
placard at least 4 by 9 inches notifying
the crew and passengers of the discharge
restrictions (see figure 7-9).
A good practice for all boaters is
NEVER THROW ANYTHING INTO THE
WATER THAT DID NOT COME OUT OF IT.
Waste Management Plan
• Vessels 40 feet and longer, equipped with
a galley and berthing, are required to have
Section 7: Government Regulations 91
a written Waste Management Plan aboard.
• The plan must describe the procedures
for collecting, processing, storing, and
discharging garbage.
• It must designate the crewmember
responsible for carrying out the plan.
Remember, as the skipper, you are responsible
for knowing where the plan is,
explaining it to your crew, and enforcing it.
Aquatic Nuisance Species
To help prevent the spread of the latest
plague of non-native fish, quagga mussels
and zebra mussels in our waterways, boaters
should follow these simple rules:
• Trailer boaters should pull away from the
launching ramp as soon as possible and
then remove visible mud, plants, fish, or
animals from the boat and trailer before
leaving the area.
• Scrape any mussels from the boat or
outdrive and flush the hull, bilges, and
water-holding compartments with hot
water (at least 120° F), if available.
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170A
170B
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Figure 7-9. 2014 MARPOL placard required on all boats 26 feet and longer. Serves as notice of
marine pollution rules for compliance by all on board.