Is a Y-valve mandatory?

jellyfish

jellyfish

New Member
Aug 8, 2007
124
Miami, Florida
Boat Info
24 Sundancer 2001
Engines
5.0 EFI, BIII
I replaced my porta-podi with a manual toilet and added a holding tank in the engine room. The boat already has a macerator and seacock as well as overboard pump-out line that was installed by Searay, but no Y-valve.

Is it mandatory by the USCG to have a y-valve installed?? The original design has a PVC 1.5” T fitting instead of the Y-valve and in order to activate the macerator, I have to use a key in the head.

For those of you that have a Vacuflush system, do you have a Y-valve also?


Alex
 
Your question deals with Federal and State regulations for boats. I am a Vessel Safety Examiner (one of those volunteers that inspects boats and gives you a safety sticker if you pass).

The federal requirement for your MSD (Marine Sanitation Device), and your state may be different, but not likely, states that you must physically secure your overboard discharge to prevent accidental discharge of your holding tank. What does that mean? For most, it means either "chaining" (using twist ties) your valve in the shut position, or closing the valve and physically removing the handle. There are other acceptable methods.

There is an example listed on the website below.

http://www.usps.org/national/vsc/conductvsc_files/USCGMinReq.pdf

You are welcome to drop me a PM if you want more information. Please make sure that you do have this resolved because the fines for improperly setting your MSD can be expensive.
 
pete5016 said:
Your question deals with Federal and State regulations for boats. I am a Vessel Safety Examiner (one of those volunteers that inspects boats and gives you a safety sticker if you pass).

The federal requirement for your MSD (Marine Sanitation Device), and your state may be different, but not likely, states that you must physically secure your overboard discharge to prevent accidental discharge of your holding tank. What does that mean? For most, it means either "chaining" (using twist ties) your valve in the shut position, or closing the valve and physically removing the handle. There are other acceptable methods.

There is an example listed on the website below.

http://www.usps.org/national/vsc/conductvsc_files/USCGMinReq.pdf

You are welcome to drop me a PM if you want more information. Please make sure that you do have this resolved because the fines for improperly setting your MSD can be expensive.
Click to expand...

NICK..

I sent you a PM.. I welcome your responce.

thanks,

alex
 
pete5016 said:
Your question deals with Federal and State regulations for boats. I am a Vessel Safety Examiner (one of those volunteers that inspects boats and gives you a safety sticker if you pass).

The federal requirement for your MSD (Marine Sanitation Device), and your state may be different, but not likely, states that you must physically secure your overboard discharge to prevent accidental discharge of your holding tank. What does that mean? For most, it means either "chaining" (using twist ties) your valve in the shut position, or closing the valve and physically removing the handle. There are other acceptable methods.

There is an example listed on the website below.

http://www.usps.org/national/vsc/conductvsc_files/USCGMinReq.pdf

You are welcome to drop me a PM if you want more information. Please make sure that you do have this resolved because the fines for improperly setting your MSD can be expensive.
Click to expand...


I have heard some different opinions about boat length. my 380 is according to the USCG 38 feet, but since I have the swim platform some list it as 41 feet LOA.

Now when one gets State and Federal using a dividing line of 39" 4 " I do not wish to get caught by someones incorrect opinion/ interpretation, so what do you go by, Sea Ray 380 as 38 feet or LOA of 41 feet?

Thanks
 
Bodkin Creek George said:
Most marine y-valves have a place for a lock. Make sure it's on and locked.
George
Click to expand...

If you have a place for a lock, then a lock is perfectly acceptable. Most of the boats I inspect are less than 31', and very few have place for a lock on the y-valve (although it would be great if all the manufactures would install a place for a lock, that SHOULD be a requirement - it would make it much more easier and obvious to the boat owner what he should do).

Thanks.
 
Pseudomind said:
I have heard some different opinions about boat length. my 380 is according to the USCG 38 feet, but since I have the swim platform some list it as 41 feet LOA.

Now when one gets State and Federal using a dividing line of 39" 4 " I do not wish to get caught by someones incorrect opinion/ interpretation, so what do you go by, Sea Ray 380 as 38 feet or LOA of 41 feet?

Thanks
Click to expand...

The length of your boat is listed on your registration, so whatever your registration says (LOA) is what you should be inspected to.

BTW - the only difference I see for a 39' vs 40' is the federal requirement to carry a copy of the Navigation Rules on board. If your boat is that close to 40' then please buy a copy and bury it somewhere on your boat.

Again, I have personally seen many enforcement agencies misinterpret the rules on the water. You are always better to carry more than the recommended MINIMUM standard. (For instance, I carry five fire extinguishers on board - the requirement is for two. I keep one in every area of the boat. The extinguishers don't take much room, and if you ever need one, there really is not a lot of chemical in these things. I have seen too many boats burn to the waterline, so for me, that is cheap insurance).

BTW - Federal safety requirements do NOT require an anchor or any lines on board. How is that for smart?????
 
very simple solution for a ball valve handle, simply slip 1 side on then the second , line up a hole put in the lock shank.
 
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