subject: Msds And A Marina Dump Station [print this page] If you are a boater or vessel owner who uses a toilet onboard, either installed or portable, you are going to need to familiarize yourself with the dump station at your local marina or dock. This is especially true if you are using a Type III marine sanitation device, which is a holding tank onboard for waste. Many marinas and docks around the country offer to boaters excellent facilities and convenient receptacles to empty and clean your holding tank.
It is illegal to dump untreated waste into the waters of the United States within a three mile radius of the coast. There are three different types of marine sanitation devices that boaters use, and they are aptly named Type I MSDs, Type II MSDs and Type III MSDs. Type I marine sanitation systems are flow through devices for maceration and disinfection for vessels that are shorter than 65 feet long. These types of sanitation systems disinfect the waste prior to it being discharged into the waters.
Type II sewage treatment devices are designed for vessels that measure more than 65 feet in length. These are pretty similar to Type I systems, but these have a more advanced micro biological treatment set up and it will discharge waste with lower fecal coliform counts as well as reduced suspended solids. These basically work like a miniature septic system.
Type III devices are not flow through systems; in contrast they are holding tanks and are for use with vessels of any length. They are the ones that are required to be dumped at the marina dump station receptacles. Since they hold waste instead of passing it through and discharging it, they are not treatment sanitation systems but instead are simple tanks that receive sewage that is flushed from the marine head. The holding tank contains deodorizers and other chemicals.
There should always be a dump station available and in proper working order at all marinas; personnel should always have either posted at the station or on hand at the boat house the instructions on how to use the stations properly. Using these convenient receptacles is much like pumping gas into a car, and not much more difficult either. If you have a Type III marine sanitation device and you dont know how to or have questions about your marina dump station, be sure that you ask marina personnel for help so that you can do it yourself the next time.
