Message In A Bottle: Litter?

[smj]

Hers a story of a guy that threw 4800 messages in a bottle into the ocean and received 3100 replies. Considering it appears he used plastic bottles, would this be considered pollution? And the 1700 bottles still out there floating, are they litter or just undelivered messages? If it's ok and not littering how would our oceans and beaches look if everyone took it upon themselves to do the same thing?

http://gizmodo.com/5843995/some-guy-...ver-the-world/

[Matt sachs]

Tossing plastic overboard is againt the law at any distance from shore. So yes that is littering.

[smj]

Originally Posted by Matt sachs

Tossing plastic overboard is againt the law at any distance from shore. So yes that is littering.

Tossing glass overboard is also against the law at any distance from shore.

[Matt sachs]

Originally Posted by smj

Tossing glass overboard is also against the law at any distance from shore.

What I read stated 12-25 miles the glass must be broken up into small chunks, past 25 the only thing listed was plastic. Where can I find the official rules?

[smj]

http://www.ukpandi.com/knowledge/art...om-ships-5937/

[Delancey]

I don't have my Merriam Webster Dictionary handy, so could have it wrong, but I believe Cruisers Forum is a form of social media and that people who post here demonstrate that they are sociable.

[Greenhand]

Originally Posted by Delancey

I don't have my Merriam Webster Dictionary handy, so could have it wrong, but I believe Cruisers Forum is a form of social media and that people who post here demonstrate that they are sociable.

You haven't been reading the same thread I have been - most seem to be cranky and not at all sociable.

[smj]

Originally Posted by Greenhand

You haven't been reading the same thread I have been - most seem to be cranky and not at all sociable.

Nothing cranky here. Just good discussion and debate.

[Delancey]

Originally Posted by Matt sachs

What I read stated 12-25 miles the glass must be broken up into small chunks, past 25 the only thing listed was plastic. Where can I find the official rules?

I don't have a link handy, but I believe per the latest MARPOL regs that basically if it isn't something that can be eaten or has already been eaten, it is illegal to dump overboard (yes, including specifically glass) for citizens of any of the signatory countries anywhere on the high seas.

So however quaint the practice may be to some people, I don't think there is an ambiguity as to whether a message in a bottle doesn't technically constitute pollution.

[Delancey]

Well, I looked it up. CF is a form of social media and people who post on it are sociable. The definition of sociable doesn't say people have to be nice to be sociable, only that they are inclined by nature to companionship.

[smj]

From the Marpol site.

[Matt sachs]

MEPC 63/23/Add.1
Annex 24, page 30

I:\MEPC\63\23-Add-1.doc

Sample placard targeting crew and shipboard operations

Discharge of all garbage into the sea is prohibited except provided otherwise

The MARPOL Convention and domestic law prohibit the discharge of most garbage from ships. Only the following garbage types are
allowed to be discharged and under the specified conditions.
Outside Special Areas designated under MARPOL Annex V:



Comminuted or ground food wastes (capable of passing through a screen with openings no larger than 25 millimetres) may
be discharged not less than 3 nautical miles from the nearest land.



Other food wastes may be discharged not less than 12 nautical miles from the nearest land.



Cargo residues classified as not harmful to the marine environment may be discharged not less than 12 nautical miles from
the nearest land.



Cleaning agents or additives in cargo hold, deck and external surfaces washing water may be discharged only if they are not
harmful to the marine environment.



With the exception of discharging cleaning agents in washing water, the ship must be en route and as far as practicable from
the nearest land.
Inside Special Areas designated under MARPOL Annex V



More stringent discharge requirements apply for the discharges of food wastes and cargo residues; AND



Consult Annex V and the shipboard garbage management plan for details.
For all areas of the sea, ships carrying specialized cargos such as live animals or solid bulk cargoes should consult Annex V and the
associated Guidelines for the implementation of Annex V.
Discharge of any type of garbage must be entered in the Garbage Record Book

Violation of these requirements may result in penalties.

[Matt sachs]

After reading this, I think I need to change my vote. Heck you can't even toss a banana peel over board till you are 12 miles out!

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by SURV69

It's litter...................
....

The injury evidently cut into my tendon(my instep), and I have had nothing but problems since. According to my doctor, the tendon almost done for and we're trying not to operate.

It's litter if it's not out there because of a life threatening need. One doesn't need to "practice", messages in a bottle ... plastic, glass or otherwise.

Valid point. Though it may not be otherwise enviromentally damaging it does potentially add to injury risk.

[smj]

Originally Posted by belizesailor

Valid point. Though it may not be otherwise enviromentally damaging it does potentially add to injury risk.

For humans and marine life.