A Course for Safe Boating

Chapter 2 u Boating Law, Navigational Rules and Navigational Aids

No Discharge Areas It is illegal to release wastes, treated or not, into a federally designated No Discharge Area. Your MSD must be connected to a holding tank or secured to prevent all sewage discharges. California’s No Discharge Areas are: ƒ ƒ El Dorado County: Lake Tahoe ƒ ƒ Los Angeles County: Avalon Bay Harbor ƒ ƒ Marin County: Richardson Bay ƒ ƒ Orange County: Dana Point Harbor; Huntington Harbor; Newport Bay (Upper and Lower); Sunset Bay ƒ ƒ Placer County: Lake Tahoe ƒ ƒ San Diego County: Mission Bay; Oceanside Harbor; San Diego Bay ƒ ƒ Ventura County: Channel Islands Harbor Plastic Pollution of the seas from garbage dumping is a global problem. The inter- national treaty to prevent pollution from ships (MARPOL) attacks the plastic pollution problem. It is against the law to dump plastic trash into the ocean or into navigable waters of the United States. Regional, state or local regulations may further restrict dumping garbage. Plastic does not easily decay, and it’s dangerous to animal life. Thousands of animals die each year after becoming entangled in or eating plastic trash. It can also be a hazard to boats if caught in a propeller or water intake. The pollution laws apply to all boats regardless of size. Any violation may result in

CAUTION

If your boat is 26 feet or longer, it must display a 9-inch by 4-inch MARPOL placard telling the crew and passengers what is against the law to throw overboard. Display the placard where everyone can read it.

a civil penalty up to $25,000 and/or criminal penalty up to $50,000, and/or 5 years imprisonment. Although you’ll find legal zones for discharging garbage, responsible boaters will not dump any garbage or waste into the water.

MARPOL PLACARD

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California Boating  A Course for Safe Boating