How to Dispose of Garbage at Sea

It probably sounds like a no-brainer. Got garbage? Throw it out. The thing is, tossing garbage off a boat is a serious no-no, especially if it’s plastic. In fact, it is against the law to toss plastic overboard anywhere while at sea. Knowing how to dispose of trash while at sea keeps the water clean and it keeps money in your pocket. The U.S. Coast Guard charges serious penalties to polluters. Read on to learn how to dispose of garbage at sea.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Trash bags

1. Separate your trash: food items, paper, rags, metal, crockery and plastic.

2. If operating within three miles of shore, the only trash a boater can toss overboard is fresh fish or fish parts, dishwater or graywater. Dishwater is the water left over after cleaning dished, provided it does not have food suspended in the water. Graywater is water left over water from bathing but does not include toilet water.

3. Put all other garbage into plastic bags and stow them below. Dispose of when returning to dock.

4. From 3 to 12 miles offshore, boaters must grind their trash to less than one inch, including food, crockery, rags, glass, metal and paper. This can go overboard. However, plastic and packing materials remain forbidden.

5. From 12 to 25 miles offshore, packing materials and plastic is forbidden.

6. More than 25 miles and the ban on plastic remains.

Tips & Warnings

• Always have a few spare trash bags on board your boat. They always come in handy.
• If you're not sure whether something can go overboard, keep it and dispose of back at the dock.
• Check with the dock master about the Waste Disposal Plan at the marina.
• Never toss plastic overboard. It is dangerous to marine life and can carry penalty of up to $25,000.
• No trash other than fish parts can go overboard if operating anywhere on the Great Lakes.

[davida8575]

on 7/15/2009 I never knew this.

[smilesatme1]

on 8/20/2008 good advice! thanks