Sanitation for Boaters

The handling of human waste is not a polite or pleasant topic, but it is an important one, especially for campers and boaters.  Some  inconsiderate and lazy boaters dump all kinds of waste overboard.  This is NOT a good idea!  Most of our recreational waterways also serve as water supplies for residential and agricultural use and, eventually ALL water will return to the ocean.  We must do our part to keep it clean!  That crap you dump into the lake just might end up in YOUR drinking water!  Quite frankly, if it does it serves you right!!!

Some larger cabin cruiser and sailboats have sanitation facilities similar to those on RVs:  sinks and toilets, pressurized or battery powered water delivery, fresh water supply tanks and holding tanks for waste. Holding tanks on boats usually have to be pumped out at an appropriate dock facility.   Smaller "day cruisers" might have a porta-potty you can carry ashore for dumping instead of a toilet .  Human powered crafts (row boats, canoes, kayaks) and personal water craft don't have any sanitation facilities and you have to stop somewhere when you need to go so you probably need to plan appropriate stops in advance.  Be sure to use approved facilities or, in remote areas, follow proper procedures for building latrines to avoid contaminating waterways or creating nasty "traps" for other users of the area.  ALWAYS do your business at least 200 feet from any water.  That is about 70 adult paces.  For you sports fans its about 3/4 of a football field.   Sinks on small boats often drain right out through the hull into the water so be careful what you put down the drain.

The process for using, maintaining and dumping the holding tanks on larger vessels is very similar to that for RVs with one exception:  RVs normally use gravity to transfer the waste from the holding tanks to the dump station.  The holding tanks on boats usually have to be pumped.   A well equipped marina will have facilities to pump boat holding tanks.  If you take your boat out of the water after each outing and trailer it home,  you might be able to dump the holding tanks in any standard RV dump station.  Of course, permanent holding tanks and porta-pottys always need to be flushed and the chemicals refreshed when they are dumped.  If the boat is left outside or in unheated storage during freezing weather, holding tanks and porta-pottys will have to be protected against freezing.

Its very important to avoid contaminating the water in the lake, river, or marina.  Many of the lakes, rivers, and reservoirs available for recreational use are also sources of drinking water.   I've even seen some places where swimming or any human contact with the water is strictly prohibited to avoid contamination.  The galley and head sinks on some smaller boats may drain directly out through the hull.  If this is the case with your boat be careful not put anything nasty (chemically or biologically) down the drain!  

Handling the porta-pottys on smaller crafts is pretty much the same as for tent campers.  Carry the holding tank out of the boat and dump it into a toilet or approved dump station.   As always, be sure to rinse it thoroughly and add the proper amount of chemicals so it will be ready to use next time you go out.  Re-fill the clean water reservoir on the porta-potty each time you dump it too.

If you are into rafting, canoeing or kayaking, plan regular stops to take care of your bodily needs.  Sometimes you can pull into campgrounds where there are restrooms.  Lacking that you will need to find a relatively private spot where you can dig an appropriate latrine to take care of business.  A latrine always needs to be at least 200 feet (about 70 adult steps) away from any water source so be prepared for a little trek.  Plan ahead and don't wait too long before making your stops.  It may be appealing to keep paddling but you may regret not stopping sooner if you have an "accident" en route before you can take care of business!

Sail on!