Do you have a garbage disposal on your boat?

[sdowney717]

I have an extra one with SS grind chamber and was wondering about using it in the boat.
There is some reg about 3 mile rule dumping food overboard, so that was my only concern, like if it would become a problem if the USCG guys saw it. I personally would not have an issue using it.

And it could be good for grinding up fish bait for chumming, which technically is also food...

[caltexflanc]

We only used ours if more than 3 miles offshore. I even posted a label over the sink to that effect. It was rare that we'd be cooking or otherwise generating stuff to go through it when offshore though. As far as I am concerned, it's a problem whether the CG sees it or not, because it's wrong, and against the regs.

[Group9]

Apparently we used to, as there is a circuit breaker labled as such, but it's not installed now.

Some new catamarans, have waste disposal chutes installed, in the galley, for organic material dumping. I have wondered about the legal issues with those, as well.

[sdowney717]

Well it is a regulation, I just question the sanity of that regulation, the disposal grinds food to minute size. The only issue is nutrient loading of the water, which considering the tiny number of boats that are out on the water, then even fewer number that would even have a garbage disposal, makes for a big fat zero.. effect on the water. It is one of those dumb regs, like in the same vein as grey water discharges or Lectrasan discharges which some would like to also see eliminated from boats, both load nutrients into the water, however my lectrasan is legal and the garbage disposal is not.

However I can buy chum and pour buckets of it into the water, loading it with nutrients and not a problem whatsoever... Or use chicken for crab bait.

[Simi 60]

Originally Posted by Group9

Some new catamarans, have waste disposal chutes installed, in the galley, for organic material dumping. I have wondered about the legal issues with those, as well.

I had one in my catamarans as far back as 20 years ago and have one on my current vessel as well.

Its called a window

[sdowney717]

Originally Posted by Simi 60

I had one in my catamarans as far back as 20 years ago and have one on my current vessel as well.

Its called a window

Yes, also illegal to throw whole chunks of food in the water.
I know most people think little of tossing food scraps overboard, bones, etc.. to feed the fishes
Your even required to have a visible to all garbage plan onboard if the boat is over a certain size. I have gone fishing with people who throw their leftovers onto the rocks off jetties.

[JustBob]

Originally Posted by sdowney717

Your even required to have a visible to all garbage plan onboard if the boat is over a certain size.

I saw this and thought "a garbage plan?" I would have never thought.. Which made me think "what are all the other things we have to do, that are pretty obscure."

Here's a PDF which discusses many such requirements:

https://www.uscgboating.org/images/420.PDF

[caltexflanc]

We have a simple rule: "if it didn't originally live in this water, don't put it in".

[Simi 60]

Originally Posted by sdowney717

Yes, also illegal to throw whole chunks of food in the water. .

Possibly only in america.

[O C Diver]

Much of what you would put though it won't be eaten by marine creatures. Some items can actually be detrimental to small bays, estuaries, etc. Last time this came up on TF, someone post information to why the rotting material was bad for small bodies of water.

Ted

[sdowney717]

Originally Posted by O C Diver

Much of what you would put though it won't be eaten by marine creatures. Some items can actually be detrimental to small bays, estuaries, etc. Last time this came up on TF, someone post information to why the rotting material was bad for small bodies of water.

Ted

Maybe if there were a ton of people using them, but the numbers just are not there and never will be. Basically food breaks down to muck, and that is what things like to eat, bottom critters, etc. on the mucky bottom. Ever feed little minnows, they eat this kind of stuff. I do not believe marine life does not eat food waste, I have fed minnows food waste. I also know crabs and shrimp eat food waste.

[sdowney717]

Originally Posted by Simi 60

Possibly only in america.

Definitely in America.

[sdowney717]

Originally Posted by JustBob

I saw this and thought "a garbage plan?" I would have never thought.. Which made me think "what are all the other things we have to do, that are pretty obscure."

Here's a PDF which discusses many such requirements:

https://www.uscgboating.org/images/420.PDF

> 40 foot then must have a written plan. Although seems ambiguously written, 'ocean going vessels' 'engaged in commerce' 'with galley and berthing', is that 'and' or is it 'or'

United States ocean-going vessels of 40 feet or longer that are engaged in commerce or equipped with a galley and berthing must have a written waste management plan describing the procedures for collecting, processing, storing, and discharging garbage, and must designate the person in charge of carrying out the plan .

[Mrwesson]

Didn't know about the food rule.. I guess I gotta feel bad about the occasional apple/peanut shell lol.

Based on the oil slick at every marina in Florida I don't see this one being enforced. Rules are rules and reality is reality.

[Benthic2]

Originally Posted by Simi 60

Possibly only in america.

Oh...I suppose Australia doesn't have any odd or peculiar laws ??

Like you can't wear pink pants on Sundays, or its illegal to have over 100 kg of potatos ????

[MYTraveler]

When I spec'd my current boat for construction, the builder told me that he could not legally install one and that it would not pass USCG inspection (I didn't / don't know that USCG inspects newly constructed recreational vessels).

Several boats ago, I installed a garbage disposal in the transom in order to grind up and dump directly overboard fish / fish guts for chumming purposes.

[O C Diver]

Originally Posted by sdowney717

Maybe if there were a ton of people using them, but the numbers just are not there and never will be.

Following that logic, discharging oily bilge water shouldn't be a problem either.

Ted

[AKDoug]

Mine says "macerator" on it...

[AusCan]

Originally Posted by sdowney717

Maybe if there were a ton of people using them, but the numbers just are not there and never will be. Basically food breaks down to muck, and that is what things like to eat, bottom critters, etc. on the mucky bottom. Ever feed little minnows, they eat this kind of stuff. I do not believe marine life does not eat food waste, I have fed minnows food waste. I also know crabs and shrimp eat food waste.

It breaks down into muck? And then the bottom critters eat the muck.

Brilliant! You've solved the world's waste problems.

[BruceK]

Originally Posted by AusCan

It breaks down into muck? And then the bottom critters eat the muck.

Brilliant! You've solved the world's waste problems.

And, what we eat breaks down to "muck" too. So,is it ok to pump that "muck" straight out too?