A Course for Safe Boating

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34 California Boating 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
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
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.