Bahamas and T&C Discharge

[Snore]

In preparation for a January departure I am installing a macerator (Thank you Hopcar ).


Then I realized, I am not sure of the where I can use it. Off the US coast it is 3 miles- but is there someplace I can find the official rules for the Bahamas and the T&C?

Thanks

[zboss]

There are no rules.

Many boats just direct discharge into the water, which is why you never swim in Georgetown! We like to save up a few days worth and pumpout well after leaving the anchorage.

[FSMike]

There is a pumpout boat in Georgetown. Otherwise, try the best you can to not pollute a harbor/community/etc. by pumping offshore, using outgoing tide etc.
Composting heads make life simple.

[Snore]

Thanks for the responses.

While I will not pump at anchor. I know others do.


YUCK!!!!

[a64pilot]

I wish I could self pump out. I have two options, fill the tank or direct discharge.
I cannot pump out myself. I will need to fix that as I know there will be places I don't want to direct discharge, but there won't be pump out facilities either.

I've been thinking about using air pressure to empty the tank?

[Snore]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

I've been thinking about using air pressure to empty the tank?

Just retired from a career in utilities. We used gravity and pumps to move waste. I have heard of using vacuum (neg pressure) to move waste, but never positive air pressure.

The risk of failure raises some ugly side-effects.

Perhaps you have heard the phrase regarding "waste" hitting the fan. Using positive pressure could have a similar effect.

The macerator pump and parts to install are not cheap, but appear to be safer.

[a64pilot]

You would have to limit the pressure, I figure at most 3 PSI would do it

[CarlF]

The best way, by far, for US sailors is to set up an overboard pump from the holding tank to a seacock. Have the head only discharge into the holding tank. The overboard seacock stays closed except when you are emptying the tank (have a wire tie).

In many cases you can put a Y valve on the hose to the deck pump out and use the existing overboard discharge sea cock.

The OP might just be able to move the macerator to be a pump out discharge.

Or install a diaphragm pump like this that isn't damaged if you accidentally run it dry.

SeaLand SaniPump Discharge Pump

[travellerw]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

I wish I could self pump out. I have two options, fill the tank or direct discharge.
I cannot pump out myself. I will need to fix that as I know there will be places I don't want to direct discharge, but there won't be pump out facilities either.

I've been thinking about using air pressure to empty the tank?

Another option would be a hand pump. I have 2 hand pumps on my boat as backups. I have used them a number of times to empty the tanks. They work well and are a hell of lot cheaper than masterators.

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by travellerw

Another option would be a hand pump. I have 2 hand pumps on my boat as backups. I have used them a number of times to empty the tanks. They work well and are a hell of lot cheaper than masterators.

What kind of pump? The long ones about three ft long made from PVC pipe?


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[travellerw]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

What kind of pump? The long ones about three ft long made from PVC pipe?


Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum

Nope, I have 2 of these.
Whale Marine - Products

The are mounted on a bulkhead and empty my tanks in about 8-10min of pumping. Sorry I don't know my tank size off hand. They connec to standard white 1.5" sewer hose.

I had to replace one when I bought the boat and paid about $65USD.

[jcapo]

Manual Henderson diaphragm pump plus valves to pump bilge or holding tank.

[jeepbluetj]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

You would have to limit the pressure, I figure at most 3 PSI would do it

When that goes bad, it's gonna be very bad.

Install a macerator. My boat came with a macerator about 3 feet above the holding tank, and it would end up with a dry impeller way too often. I moved it to essentially right under the tank (tank will gravity feed to macerator) and it's perfect. It was indeed a bit of a crappy job. Outlet is a through hull.

I can't direct discharge (removed the Y valve the PO put in backwards). Pump out dock is always covered with sea lions and it's a PITA in general. Macerate every daysail. Easypeasy. Macerator is now one of the "must have working" items on the boat.

[zboss]

Originally Posted by Snore

Thanks for the responses.

While I will not pump at anchor. I know others do.


YUCK!!!!

Well, do it in the middle of the night when everyone is asleep.

Originally Posted by travellerw

The are mounted on a bulkhead and empty my tanks in about 8-10min of pumping. Sorry I don't know my tank size off hand. They connec to standard white 1.5" sewer hose.

We had one of those as well. We ended up replacing it with an electric whale diaphragm pump.

[ReMetau]

Agree with the manual diaphragm pump and using the 3 mile rule. If in a location with nobody around and good current, we usually go directly overboard.