It's the Law: The Environment and Your Vessel

As a boater, it's your legal responsibility to help protect Massachusetts' aquatic environment.

Discharge of Sewage and Waste

• Massachusetts law states that it is unlawful to discharge raw sewage or other refuse into Massachusetts' waters. If you have a recreational vessel with installed toilet facilities, it must have on board an operable marine sanitation device (MSD) that is self-contained and incapable of discharging directly into the water.
• All installed MSDs must be U.S. Coast Guard–certified.

Types of MSDs

• Types I and II MSDs treat waste with special chemicals to kill bacteria before the waste is discharged. Types I and II MSDs with “Y” valves that direct the waste overboard must be secured so that the valve cannot be opened. This can be done by placing a lock or non-reusable seal on the “Y” valve or by taking the handle off the “Y” valve.
• Type III MSDs provide no treatment and are either holding tanks or portable toilets. Collected waste is discharged on shore into a local sewage treatment facility or at a sewage pump-out station.

No Discharge Areas (NDAs) in Massachusetts

In these NDAs, it is illegal to dump both treated and untreated sewage.

• All of Buzzards Bay
• Waquoit Bay in Falmouth
• The Coastal Waters of Harwich
• Three Bays/Centerville Harbor in Barnstable
• Wellfleet Harbor
• Stage Harbor in Chatham
• The Coastal Waters of Nantucket from Muskeget Island to Great Point (including Nantucket Harbor)

Locations of No Discharge Areas and Pumpout Stations are subject to change. Please call 617-626-1200.

Please Pump Out

• Boaters can help reduce water pollution by pumping out. Pump-outs are wet vacuums that draw sewage out of boat holding tanks for proper disposal. With the assistance of federal funding, the number of pump-out facilities (and pump-out boats) has increased significantly. Boaters have responded by using them, which has already improved coastal water quality.
• Pump-out facilities allow boaters to comply with the federal Clean Water Act, which prohibits the discharge of untreated sewage in coastal waters within three miles of shore. Pump-outs are also available in the seven No Discharge Areas (NDAs) in Massachusetts (see above).
• Use the pump-outs and keep sewage out of our fishing and swimming areas.

Discharge of Trash

• It is illegal to dump garbage and plastics into state or federally controlled waters.
• You must store trash in a container on board, and place it in a proper receptacle after returning to shore.
• You must display, in a prominent location, a durable placard (sign) at least 4 x 9 inches on any vessel 26 ft. or longer. It must notify passengers and crew about discharge restrictions of the Marine Pollution Act (MARPOL).

Help Keep Massachusetts Waters Clean

Boaters in Massachusetts have a role to play in preserving the aquatic environment.

To help keep our waters clean:

• Make it a policy on your vessel that nothing goes overboard. If you had room to bring it, there's room to take it back!
• Take reusable containers and recycle your paper, cans and bottles whenever possible.
• Encourage your marina to establish recycling facilities and pump-out stations.
• Avoid products that remove stains or make your boat shine–they can be very toxic.
• Use or request that your boatyard use the least damaging bottom paints available.

For more information, contact Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management at 617-626-1212.

http://www.epa.gov/region01/eco/nodiscrg/index.html

Discharge of Oil and Other Hazardous Substances

• It is illegal to discharge oil or hazardous substances.
• You are not allowed to dump oil into the bilge of the vessel without means for proper disposal.
• You must discharge oil waste to a reception facility. On recreational vessels, a bucket or bailer is adequate.
• On federally controlled waters, vessels 26 feet or longer must display a 5 x 8 inch placard near the bilge pump switch stating the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.

If your vessel discharges oil or hazardous substances in the water:

• Immediately call the U.S. Coast Guard at 1-800-424-8802.
• Also notify the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection at 1-888-304-1133.

Hazardous Substances and the Boater

No paint or varnish product is environmentally safe, and all are toxic to both humans and marine life. When cleaning or painting your vessel, it's important to protect the water.

• Minimize your use of toxic materials while the vessel is in the water. Use biodegradable and low-phosphate products whenever possible.
• Use an absorbent sponge in your bilge to soak up oil. Have oil absorbent pads or rags on hand in case of a spill. When changing engine oil, wipe up any spills so the oil isn't pumped overboard with the bilge water.
• Use a suspended tarp to catch spills, paint scrapings or debris that would end up in the water.
• Inspect your fuel lines periodically. Replace bad ones with USCG-approved Type A alcohol-resistant, fuel line hose.
• Dispose of old antifreeze and oil on shore in a recycling container.
• Anti-fouling paint is used to prevent the growth of organisms on vessel bottoms. Some antifouling paints use tributyltin, which has been found to cause abnormal development and reduced reproduction in marine life. Instead use a “non-fouling” paint (silicon or teflon based) or non-abative (copper based) antifouling paint.