Discharge of Sewage and Waste
If you have a recreational vessel with installed toilet facilities, it must have an operable marine sanitation device (MSD) on board.
- There are three types of MSDs.
- Type III MSD, the simplest and most common, consists of holding tanks or portable toilets. It requires only a small storage space and is simple to operate. Type III MSDs have the least effect on the environment because the waste is to be discharged on shore into a local sewage treatment facility.
- Type II MSDs1 are required for vessels 65 feet and longer and use a combination of maceration, septic treatment, and chemical treatment to kill bacteria just prior to discharge. There may be a Y valve that directs untreated waste material for discharge or directs waste material for treatment prior to discharge. The Y valve must be secured to direct waste to the MSD.
- Type I MSDs are for vessels over 26 feet and under 65 feet long and use a combination of maceration and chemical treatment to kill bacteria just prior to discharge. There may be a Y valve that directs untreated waste material for discharge or directs waste material for treatment prior to discharge. The Y valve must be secured to direct waste to the MSD.
- All vessels 26 feet or more in length that have an enclosed cabin with sleeping facilities must be equipped with a toilet if on Florida state waters.
- On a vessel other than a houseboat, the toilet may be portable or a permanently installed toilet properly attached to a MSD.
- Every houseboat must be equipped with at least one permanently installed toilet properly attached to a Type III MSD.
- All installed devices must be USCG–certified.
Signs like this one are posted at pump-out stations.
