NC Requirement to keep log of pumpout dates

AKBASSKING

AKBASSKING

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Apr 13, 2008
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SE Alaska Summer/Columbia River winter
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1988 Yacht Fisher
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New requirements for NC vessel operators:

Clean Marinas/Pumpout Stations

A North Carolina bill entitled clean marinas/pumpout stations (ratified house bill 1378 and Session Law 2009-345) was recently signed into law. It states “an act to provide that the owner or operator of certain marinas shall install and maintain pumpout facilities by July 1, 2010, to prohibit the discharge of sewage from a vessel into certain coastal waters, to require the owner or operator of any marina who knows that a vessel docked at the marina has unlawfully discharged sewage into coastal waters to report the unlawful discharge to the appropriate law enforcement agency, to require vessel owners and operators to keep a log regarding the date and location of pumpouts of sewage from marine sanitation devices, and to provide that a pilot program in new Hanover county shall be designed and implemented by the department of environment and natural resources to begin phasing in the pumpout station requirements.”
Section 1 of this act becomes effective July 1, 2010, and contains the following requirements:
"§ 77-127. Department of Environment and Natural Resources establish pumpout facility criteria; inspection of pumpout facilities and vessels docked or moored at a marina.
(a) The Department of Environment and Natural Resources shall establish appropriate criteria for pumpout facilities and pumpout services provided at large vessel marinas that offer docking services to the general public. The criteria shall include requirements that the facility or services be available to the public, the pumpout facility be open during normal hours, and the pumpout facility be used for its intended purpose. The criteria also shall include a requirement that these marinas maintain records regarding the pumpout facility or services. The Department also shall develop guidelines for inspections of pumpout facilities at such marinas and of vessels that are docked or moored at these marinas.
(b) The Department also shall establish appropriate criteria for pumpout facilities and pumpout services provided at privately owned large vessel marinas that do not offer docking services to the general public. The criteria shall include requirements that the facility or services be made reasonably available to members of the private marina and the pumpout facility be used for its intended purpose. The criteria also shall include a requirement that these marinas maintain records regarding the pumpout facility or services. The Department also shall develop guidelines for inspections of pumpout facilities at such marinas and of vessels that are docked or moored at these marinas.
"§ 77-128. Vessel owner and operator required to keep log of pumpout dates.
(a) Any owner or operator of a vessel that has a marine sanitation device shall maintain a record of the date of each pumpout of the marine sanitation device and the location of the pumpout facility. Each record shall be maintained for a period of one year from the date of the pumpout.
To see the full state law, click here: http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/Sessions/2009/Bills/House/PDF/H1378v6.pdf.
 
Yep, even when I do it a home I have to make a log entry.
 
To the extent that it requires marinas to install and maintain better pumpout facilities I'm all for it. The requirement to keep a log is dumb because its not enforceable.
 
JimT said:
To the extent that it requires marinas to install and maintain better pumpout facilities I'm all for it. The requirement to keep a log is dumb because its not enforceable.
Click to expand...

+1:thumbsup:

I think it is just another way for the DNR to fine you. If you don't have a log you get ($500??) fine. Great way for them to generate revenue.
 
I wonder what how the requirements apply for those of us who go three + miles off shore and open the seacock? I guess that is considered a pumpout.
 
Mr Salt said:
I wonder what how the requirements apply for those of us who go three + miles off shore and open the seacock? I guess that is considered a pumpout.
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Do the poop inspectors come on board and inspect your holding tank?

How is this enforced other than marina owners turning in their customers? I agree that it may make for better facilities for the marinas but the boat owner keeping a log?

If I pump out my tank now, which is full of bleach water, and it is next to my house, I have to log this?
 
I agree, that is getting a bit absurd. So what if people do not use the head much or at all, are they going to assume they are discharging because they have not logged a pump out in a while?

On another note, those of you who are doing their own pump outs, how are you doing this? Being a trailered boat there are times that I might want to do this. What are you using to pump out?

-Ryan
 
I live in NC and am frequently involved in some legislative matters through my profession. The problem apparently originated with some boat owners that never leave the dock, have no access to pumpout facilities, yet entertain frequently with large parties, etc. They pump out at night and everyone knows it, but can do nothing to stop it. The local representative filed this bill and it passed. My yacht club was able to ge the wording "available to the general public" inserted to exempt private clubs. And, the bill is only applicable in EPA no-discharge zones, of thich there is only one in NC, Wrightville Beach area.
 
Hmmm... Ok... I'd make a log and put 2 entries in it each year. One right smack in the middle of the season, and the date that it gets hauled for the winter. Tell them that you make all of your guests use on shore facilities, and that the head on your boat is for "emergency use only". You only need to pump out once during the year and once again before you lay it up for the winter.

How can they enforce this? What are they going to do, tell you that you must have used the head more than that?
 
skibum said:
Hmmm... Ok... I'd make a log and put 2 entries in it each year. One right smack in the middle of the season, and the date that it gets hauled for the winter. Tell them that you make all of your guests use on shore facilities, and that the head on your boat is for "emergency use only". You only need to pump out once during the year and once again before you lay it up for the winter.

How can they enforce this? What are they going to do, tell you that you must have used the head more than that?
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They will carbon date the entry and make sure you are not "pencil whipping" it!!!:lol:

Man, now we are going to have poop inspectors.....:smt009

The things they spend our tax money on..... :smt013
 
FYN409 said:
...
On another note, those of you who are doing their own pump outs, how are you doing this? Being a trailered boat there are times that I might want to do this. What are you using to pump out?

-Ryan
Click to expand...

I have a dedicated shop vac for it. Then pour it down a "T" that goes to the septic tank for my RV.
 
FYN409 said:
I agree, that is getting a bit absurd. So what if people do not use the head much or at all, are they going to assume they are discharging because they have not logged a pump out in a while?

On another note, those of you who are doing their own pump outs, how are you doing this? Being a trailered boat there are times that I might want to do this. What are you using to pump out?

-Ryan
Click to expand...

Agreed - it's a bit absurd. They should be able to monitor these few and if they are indeed pumping out at the dock they should be able to catch them and deal with them. Yet another thing to now have to keep track of....

For the 'at home' pumpout - here's what I do with mine. I bought a macerator pump, a 20ft clear hose, a switch and alligator clips. When it's time for a pumpout - I screw the pump into the waste port, connect the alligator clips to the battery, put the discharge hose in my sewer cleanout and flip the switch. The pump primes itself and it empties the tank in about 2 mins. I then fill a 5 gallon bucket of clean water and rinse the pump out by emptying the bucket with the pump. Whole process takes about 10 mins - the worse part is watching the clear hose contents.... but I went with clear to make sure I knew when it was empty or if I ever got a clog. The pump, wiring, clips, hose, etc was all about $175. I bought cheap jumper cables and am using that wiring and the clips and the switch was just a heavy duty 30 amp rocker switch they had at Ace. Hose was the clear type available at Home Depot - 1.5 inch I believe - but whatever fit on the output of the pump.
 
Anybody can make up a "Log" about a "Log"!
Who would know the truth?

Unless you had to get it notorized..........

And then, even then, the log could be made up.

The people that do the offense now...... for whatever reasons.... will continue to do it.
 
Note that the marina must keep a log too, so the vessel log could be verified. Like I said in an earlier post, it's just a Wrightsville Beach issue, since the law only applies in EPA No Discharge Zones.
 
tdappleman said:
For the 'at home' pumpout - here's what I do with mine. I bought a macerator pump, a 20ft clear hose, a switch and alligator clips. When it's time for a pumpout - I screw the pump into the waste port, connect the alligator clips to the battery, put the discharge hose in my sewer cleanout and flip the switch.
Click to expand...

Remember the RV scene in "Christmas Vacation?"
 
Captain Allen said:
Note that the marina must keep a log too, so the vessel log could be verified. Like I said in an earlier post, it's just a Wrightsville Beach issue, since the law only applies in EPA No Discharge Zones.
Click to expand...

I don't get it. I thought anywhere inside the 3 mile line is an EPA no discharge zone. Or, is this a shellfish issue and thats where the EPA comes in? I see signs all over in the WB area about shellfish protection. One thing I do know is that you don't want to mess with the EPA. Everyone who has dealings with them is made into a public "example"
 
Read what Captain Allen said above... it's a non-issue...only applies to a small area where they've had problems...
Not that this legislation is going to stop it. You'd think the NC legislature would have more pressing issues.
 
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