Posted:
May 10, 2012
California recently published a rule prohibiting sewage discharge within certain areas near the shore - a move that has left vessel crews and operators confused as to the actual requirements.
Published by the state, the regulations came into effect March 28 and prohibit the discharge of treated or untreated sewage in state waters from vessels over 300 gross tons. Owners can anticipate multiple fines for non-compliance, as the U.S. Coast Guard and the state of California are both charged with enforcing the rule.
The discharges are prohibited inside an established California No Discharge Zone (NDZ), which stretches three nautical miles off the coast of the state. However, several bays and marinas in the state are protected by different NDZs, with conflicting definitions and regulations. For instance, a vessel might be prohibited from discharging sewage upon entering the three-mile zone, but be permitted to discharge once entering a bay.
Adding to the confusion, the rule itself differs in its interpretation of whether certain kinds of holding tanks are valid. Some older vessels use ballast tanks for sewage storage when necessary. In some circumstances, vessels may be allowed to discharge sewage when their holding tanks are full, provided they entered the NDZ with empty tanks.
Industry experts are advising operators with vessels calling at California ports to obtain NDZ maps and thoroughly research the new requirements.
California's patchwork of discharge regulations causes confusion for operators
California recently published a rule prohibiting sewage discharge within certain areas near the shore - a move that has left vessel crews and operators confused as to the actual requirements.
Published by the state, the regulations came into effect March 28 and prohibit the discharge of treated or untreated sewage in state waters from vessels over 300 gross tons. Owners can anticipate multiple fines for non-compliance, as the U.S. Coast Guard and the state of California are both charged with enforcing the rule.
The discharges are prohibited inside an established California No Discharge Zone (NDZ), which stretches three nautical miles off the coast of the state. However, several bays and marinas in the state are protected by different NDZs, with conflicting definitions and regulations. For instance, a vessel might be prohibited from discharging sewage upon entering the three-mile zone, but be permitted to discharge once entering a bay.
Adding to the confusion, the rule itself differs in its interpretation of whether certain kinds of holding tanks are valid. Some older vessels use ballast tanks for sewage storage when necessary. In some circumstances, vessels may be allowed to discharge sewage when their holding tanks are full, provided they entered the NDZ with empty tanks.
Industry experts are advising operators with vessels calling at California ports to obtain NDZ maps and thoroughly research the new requirements.