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Black Water Log

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by Capt Ralph, Jun 21, 2022.

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  1. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Some time recently a post somewhere mentioned a new requirement for a black water pump log.
    May I ask for the new statutes so I may quote, start a log and pass it on to our past customers?
    Thx
    rc
  2. cleanslate

    cleanslate Senior Member

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    What's a black water pump log? Ahh...a record of your holding tank use/pump out?....
  3. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    If I remember correctly, something new in FL but I'm trying to make sure.
    To answer your question, Yes, I think so..
  4. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Found it;

    https://m.flsenate.gov/Statutes/327.53

    (8) The owner or operator of a live-aboard vessel as defined in s. 327.02(23), or a houseboat as defined in s. 327.02(17), that is equipped with a marine sanitation device must maintain a record of the date of each pumpout of the marine sanitation device and the location of the pumpout station or waste reception facility. Each record must be maintained for 1 year after the date of the pumpout. This subsection does not apply to marine compost toilets that process and manage human waste using marine compost toilet technologies that comply with United States Coast Guard requirements.
  5. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    The important part of the above Fl Statute, is for near permanent live aboard vessels. Target; House Boats.

    (23) “Livery vessel” means a vessel leased, rented, or chartered to another for consideration.
    (17) “Houseboat” means a vessel that is used primarily as a residence for at least 21 days during any 30-day period in a county of this state if such residential use of the vessel is to the preclusion of its use as a means of transportation.

    AND
    (22) “Live-aboard vessel” means:
    (a) A vessel used solely as a residence and not for navigation;
    (b) A vessel for which a declaration of domicile has been filed pursuant to s. 222.17; or
    (c) A vessel used as a residence that does not have an effective means of propulsion for safe navigation.
  6. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    The way I read it; in Florida, private boat owners need not record black water pump outs as I was originally concerned.

    I wonder if a voluntary log could be useful if the need arises?
    Any thoughts on this?
  7. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Been reading deeper into all of this legal mumbo-jumbo. Found 08-25-99, the City of Key West waters was designated a DNZ, No Discharge Zone. Further 5-21-02 the state waters within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is a NDZ.
    20 years later, enforcement is finally coming into play.

    'Bout time, Uh??
  8. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    The problem is that we have a bunch of anchored liveaboards which never move because they pretty much can’t. In most cases these boats simply dump over board as they do not have pump out service.

    So in theory, they could be inspected and if they present a false log, it would probably trigger a charge of making a false statement.
    Capt Ralph likes this.
  9. saltysenior

    saltysenior Senior Member

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    And all tied to the dock liveaboards abide by the rules ????
  10. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Oh no… we often get that smell in the middle of night when walking the dock.

    but at least they have a way to pump out. The half derelict live aboard do not so there is no doubt about what happens
  11. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    I am assuming so. Above are the leads and lines to the FL laws. I did not see any mentions of on the hook or dock side.
    I'm hoping these later enforcement will resolve both the dock and on the hook issues.

    We just recently moved back on land. During our many years on board, our boat left a clean wake.
    Sadly, not many others can say the same.
    T.T. likes this.
  12. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    I remember the north anchorage of Key West. Seems they all knew a common time to pump.
    Ruined my evening hour on the aft deck.
    That has been a few years now from my Tortuga's trip, Been pissed at those folks since.
    It changed my whole way of thinking that night.
    1; Don't anchor down wind of a long moored derelict fleet.
    2; New hand signals the next morning.
    3; Anchor up wind of the lightning rod pool. One day that Methane Cloud will flash.
    Last edited: Jun 22, 2022
  13. saltysenior

    saltysenior Senior Member

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    The smell comes from treated sewage from a holding tank.......the ''direct route'' stuff has no smell.
  14. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Ahh, Err, Ohh,, Wrong..
  15. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    That’s what I meant. Middle of night because they don’t want to attract attention
  16. cleanslate

    cleanslate Senior Member

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    Log - Log report...sounds like some good !@#$.
  17. 993RSR

    993RSR Senior Member

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    I noticed a pump out log requirement notice while fueling up in NC. State law.
  18. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    For live-aboard / house boats or all boats mobile or not?
  19. 993RSR

    993RSR Senior Member

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    According to the dockmaster all boats. I did not research it.
  20. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    I'm just not sure how NC can inspect logs of transients.
    But with all the beautiful water in that area, GOOD.
    At least there trying.
    There is no reason for anybody to dump raw sewage within the inland waters.
    T.T. likes this.