My wife and I are planning a mini loop next summer/fall. We are going to go up the Hudson river into the Erie/Oswego canal up to the St Lawrence down the Richelieu River/Canal into Lake Champlain and canal and back down the hudson. We have a 37 foot Nordic Tug with a flybridge. I believe our height is a little over 13 feet with the mast down. I know this is all a no discharge zone. What is expected of me as far as the pump out seacock if I should get boarded?
. How long should we allow for the trip? Any comments or suggestions would be welcomed. Thank you
Per USCG Regs -
Marine Sanitation Devices (33 CFR 159)
When operating a vessel in a No Discharge Zone, the operator must secure the device in a manner that prevents any discharge. Some acceptable methods are: padlocking overboard discharge valves in the closed position, using a non-releasable wire tie to hold overboard discharge valves in the closed position, closing overboard discharge valves and removing the handle, and locking the door to the space enclosing the toilets.
Note: these methods for preventing the overboard discharge are only
required when operating in a No Discharge Zone. State and local laws
may place further restrictions on overboard discharges
I see somewhat conflicting NY reqm'ts so I'll include the links for you.
Lake Champlain is the area where I see the conflict - valve disabled or lines removed or plugged?
Per NYS Regs
When operating on No-Discharge Zones,
sewage may only be stored on board a vessel in an approved Type III device for later transfer to a marine pumpout facility.
When operating on Lake Champlain, boaters must have their MSD rendered inoperable and all overboard lines disconnected and plugged.
Per NY Regs - Marine Sanitary Devices (MSDs)
Sewage must be kept in the MSD as a holding tank for later transfer to a marine pump out facility.
If the MSD has overboard lines, the valve must be secured in such a manner
that discharge overboard is prevented. In addition, upon the waters of
Canandaigua, Skaneateles, Greenwood (Orange County) Lakes, and Lake
George, any vessel equipped with a toilet, sink, tub, etc., which results in
the drainage of any waste water must have all such waste water drain into
a holding tank in order that it may be pumped ashore at a marine pump
out facility. Any overboard lines from such systems must be either sealed
or removed.
Re Clearances - Here is the
NY Canal Bridge Clearance link for details on where you need to knock down mast but you should have no problem with it down
Timing - The longer the better!!!
We did this the first time in 4 wks from Finger Lakes - Oswego - 1,000 Is - Chambly - Champlain to Troy & return via Erie Canal. Pace was leisurely but we didn't spend much time in one place.
2015 we did a 5 wk trip Finger Lakes to Troy via Erie Canal then N to Champlain and return the same route (w/ different stops)
If you had 6-8 wks I think you would find more places to explore along the way. Another favorite route is Rideau Canal from Kingston Ont to Ottawa and Ottawa River to Montreal. We have been to Ottawa via Rideau but have not done the Ottawa River section. I don't know what you draw but that would be the only thing to check if you are interested in this section - or another trip maybe?
I've put together some cruising notes for parts of these sections. easiest way to access is our boat website -
Bacchus Website - see the cruising section.
I guarantee you will love the trip.
Feel free to responds with any specific questions s they come up.