Am I illegal?

T

tim f

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Joined
Oct 17, 2001
RO Number
6461
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193
The discharge for the waste tanks on my 1997 355MY Carver are as follows;
Toilets go to the tanks
Tanks go to a "T" where one side of the "T" goes to my Sealand pumps then overboard. The other side of the "T" goes to deck fittings for dockside pumpout. To operate the pumps, you need to flip and hold two switches. The boat is operated on the ocean and this is how the boat came. I looked at a 2000 Carver and it had the same hookup. There were no lockable valves "Y's" or hull valves. Is this hookup legal or illegal? Thanks.
 
It's what I had, but it would have been a discussion had I even been stopped.

Swap out the dual switches for a key lock switch, then keep the key anywhere except in the lock. The keyswitch to the mascerator pump ( going overboard ) should satisfy the rules. Then only use the overboard when legal.

Note that each state has their own rules!!!
 
I'm a little confused? Are you saying that the boat does not have a sea cock at the hull to open for overboard discharge? I'm not talking about the Y Valve. Even in an emergency you can't close a valve to shut your Seacock to the Head Line Valves?
 
Art, on my boat there was no seacock, as the overboard discharge was above the water line. There was no valve whatsoever in the MSD lines...

His installation seems to be like mine ( it is one I have seen many times; fairly common )

The hose plan is like this:

Holding tank --> T-fitting

T-Fitting goes to: pumpout fitting on deck, and to mascerator.

Mascerator hose goes to a plain through hull fitting above the water line, with no valve of any sort.
 
Ok. Now I understand. I get it but I sure don't like it. I don't think the USCG would either? To install an in line ball valve is not expensive.
 
Hmmm, I understand where you are coming from, but frankly I would view the bilge pump outlet to be at least as hazardous. The through hull is above the water line, and in my case, the top of the bowl of the head was above the waterline, the vent line was above the water line and the rest was a "sealed system" ...
 
Bill,
You are absolutely correct, I am dischaging above the waterline. IMHO I think it is a much better setup then discharging below the waterline, and it is one less hole in your boat below the waterline. What type of key switch are you talking about? I read a previous thread that talked about using a key switch as well. Does boatfix have this switch? I thought I read somewhere if you have to use two switches to operate the pump, the pump cannot be accidently operated??? I am still interested in the switch if you know where I can pick one up. Thanks for the help.
 
There are many choices, however the Cole Hersee 95564-01 is a 20A rated keyed on/off switch that would work. I did not find that exact switch in the Boatfix catalog, but they would likely be happy to order it for you...

the CH 9518 is rated 10A, it might work.
 
i also prefer above waterline discharge, one fewer hole and no seacock and anti syphon loop to worry about.

my "old" maxum 37, a 98, had the same setup you described. above waterline discharge from the macerator and a pair of switches you have to hold down. i assumed that was legal being on a new boat sold in the US... easy to replace with a key switch which is what i have on my current boat (unfortunately with underwater discharge)
 
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