Can I be poisoned scrubbing my boat's bottom?

[polaris2.11]

Originally Posted by thinwater

Seriously?


Do what people do in many civilized countries do when there is no pump-out; go out a few miles and dump where the tide will flush. Why would you dump where people are likely to be in the water? That's just... selfish.

My feeling too. ...but charters may not have the option if the boat is set only for overboard discharge. This is my fear/hypothesis.

[masonc]

Originally Posted by polaris2.11

My feeling too. ...but charters may not have the option if the boat is set only for overboard discharge. This is my fear/hypothesis.

Definitely the better thing to do, but my point is that pump out is not generally available.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by polaris2.11

My feeling too. ...but charters may not have the option if the boat is set only for overboard discharge. This is my fear/hypothesis.

How common is that?


Many/most of the charter boats are planning to re-sell in the US. All of the ex-charter boats I've been on came with holding tanks... although whether they were used is a dubious proposition at best.


If you charter, try to do the right thing. Pump out when you are moving, not at anchor because you didn't think about it underway.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by masonc

Definitely the better thing to do, but my point is that pump out is not generally available.

You don't NEED a pump out, you need to remember to pump out when you are sailing. All you need is a holding tank.

[polaris2.11]

Originally Posted by masonc

Definitely the better thing to do, but my point is that pump out is not generally available.

True there are few pumpouts, but is it not usually possible to hold waste until in open areas well away from other boats? Just asking. I do not know the answer. We have not experienced any real inconvenience doing just that.

[a64pilot]

I have to think that there are a lot of boats that can’t pump themselves out, it’s either direct discharge, or into the tank, and the only way to empty the tank is through the deck fitting.
Mine was that way, I added a macerator pump when I had a new tank made.

Besides, I don’t believe I ever saw a boat leave to go pump out, they all stayed put, many until they had pretty heavy growth on the anchor chain

[Mike Banks]

Have you eaten any fish lately? Could be Ciguatera--

[Lemonade]

I just learned the hard way that barnacle illness is a real thing. They apparently emit some type of defensive toxin when you mess with ‘em. I was power washing the bottom.... not the same circumstances but possibly same culprit. I was terrible sick immediately and thought it was heat stroke. A salty seasoned senior pointed out laughingly. Those barnacles are kicking yer ass.

[Compass790]

First off I'm not a medical person or a chemist but doubt copper has anything to do with it. Worked for some years building & repairing timber treatment plants that used copper, chrome & arsenic in their solutions. The rusty insides of the vessels were tinged green from the copper & we had to grind them etc. I always wore breathing protection but some of my fellow workers did not & never seemed to suffer from those symptoms.
Not saying I recommend working on timber treatment plants, quite the opposite.lol.
Do lots of hull cleaning with a snorkel & the only problems I get are bites & stings from little creatures & anenoemes hiding in heavy fouling. Learnt to always wear a wetsuit

[polaris2.11]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

I have to think that there are a lot of boats that can’t pump themselves out, it’s either direct discharge, or into the tank, and the only way to empty the tank is through the deck fitting.
Mine was that way, I added a macerator pump when I had a new tank made.

Besides, I don’t believe I ever saw a boat leave to go pump out, they all stayed put, many until they had pretty heavy growth on the anchor chain

That is what I was atraid of. Geesh. Never suspected. Seems a nutty way to do things.

[Lance]

Something that is essential in my medicine bag is a 25ml dropper bottle containing Bee Propolis tincture.
Two drops in water and drink .
Natural anti bug .
Bees are pretty smart .

[keyway]

Hola. From my experience your symptoms may be from the combination of salt water ingestion and the stress of diving. Lose the snorkel you will swallow less water. They’re not for diving they’re for snorkeling. It helps to keep the critters and toxins off if you start up current and wear something to protect your skin from contact with the paint.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by keyway

Hola. From my experience your symptoms may be from the combination of salt water ingestion and the stress of diving. Lose the snorkel you will swallow less water. They’re not for diving they’re for snorkeling. It helps to keep the critters and toxins off if you start up current and wear something to protect your skin from contact with the paint.

Excellent points, particularly the up-current part, which nearly always means starting at the front.



Even in very warm water, I wear a stretch balaclava; keep the critters out of my hair and ears. Also dive boots (I like to hook a foot under the keel or rudder) and work gloves. No snorkel and take your time.

[hellosailor]

If you've got the runs, from whatever cause, instead of fresh water you would be better off drinking Pedialyte or Gatorade (electrolytes plus varying amounts of sugar) or just making the the standard UN rehydration mix (formula online) which is basically salt, potassium salt, citric acid, things that can all be found in supermarkets for pocket change. There are a variety of products that Propel "Fitness water" that are electrolytes without any sugar, but for the cost of one bottle, you can make and carry enough of the hydration powder to bath in it.

That stops you from being dehydrated, where regular water will just be mainly excreted.

[mikedefieslife]

Originally Posted by masonc

What else would you like people anchored in the Caribbean to do?

Probably hold it tanks then discharge it offshore like in most countries. I suppose the lack of tide and proper currents doesn't help. Though an offshore breeze might.