Section 33-E. Marine sanitation devices aboard vessels in vessel waste no-discharge zones  


Latest version.
  • 1. Any waters of the state of which the commissioner
      has  received  an  affirmative  determination  regarding  the   adequate
      availability  of  marine  sanitation  device  pump-out  or  dump station
      facilities  pursuant  to  the  Federal  Clean  Water  Act,  are   hereby
      designated as vessel waste no-discharge zones.
        2.  It  shall  be  unlawful for any operator or person in control of a
      vessel being operated upon any waters of the state designated as  vessel
      waste  no-discharge  zones  to discharge sewage from marine toilets into
      such waters. Any marine sanitation device  on  board  any  vessel  being
      operated in such waters must be secured to prevent any marine sanitation
      device   discharges   to   such   waters.  In  accordance  with  federal
      requirements, any marine  sanitation  device  aboard  any  vessel  being
      operated  upon  any  waters  within  such vessel waste no-discharge zone
      shall be  secured  by  closing  the  seacock  and  padlocking,  using  a
      non-releasable wire-tie, removing the seacock handle or locking the door
      to  the  "head"  while  such vessel is being operated upon waters within
      vessel waste no-discharge zones. If a marine sanitation  device  on  any
      such  vessel  provides  a  means  of discharging sewage directly to such
      waters, the discharge valve must be secured in a readily visible  manner
      and closed position while the vessel is being operated upon such waters.
        Use  of a padlock, heavy non-resealable tape, wire-tie, or the removal
      of the valve handle are adequate methods of securing the  device.    The
      method  chosen  shall be one that presents a physical barrier to the use
      of the valve. It is unlawful for any person operating or in control of a
      vessel with a marine sanitation device on board to  operate  or  control
      such  vessel  in  a  vessel  waste  no-discharge  zone  when  the marine
      sanitation device is not secured in the manner described herein.
        3. The provisions of subdivision two of this section,  requiring  that
      marine  sanitation devices be rendered inoperable, shall not apply while
      the wastes from the marine sanitation device are being lawfully disposed
      of in an approved marine sanitation  device  pump-out  or  dump  station
      located within a vessel waste no-discharge zone.
        4.  Any  vessel being operated upon waters of the state that have been
      designated as  vessel  waste  no-discharge  zones  may  be  boarded  and
      inspected  by  the  department  or  health  department  or  any lawfully
      designated agents  or  inspectors  thereof,  acting  pursuant  to  their
      special   duties   in   accordance  with  subdivision  nine  of  section
      thirty-three-c of this article for the purpose  of  determining  whether
      such vessel is being operated in compliance with this section.
        5.  Failure  to  comply with the provisions of this section shall be a
      violation punishable by a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars.   Any
      subsequent failure by the same operator or person in control of a vessel
      to  comply  with  the  provisions  of  this section shall be a violation
      punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars.