Laws and Safety Equipment

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POLLUTION REGULATIONS AND ASSOCIATED PLACARDS

United States vessels of 26 feet or longer must display in a prominent location, a durable placard at least 5 by 8 inches, fixed in a conspicuous place in the machinery spaces, or at the bilge pump control station, notifying the crew and passengers of oil discharge restrictions.

Capacity to retain oily mixtures

• Regulations issued under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act require all vessels with propulsion machinery to have a capacity to retain oily mixtures on board and be equipped with a fixed or portable means to discharge these oily mixtures to a reception facility. A bucket and rags meet this requirement.
• On recreational vessels, a bucket, oil absorbent pads and heavy-duty plastic bag, bailer or portable pump are some suitable means that meet the requirement for retention on board until transferring the oily mixture to a reception facility.
• No person may intentionally drain oil or oily waste from any source into the bilge of any vessel.

DISCHARGE OF GARBAGE PROHIBITED

Waste Management

United States oceangoing vessels of 40 feet or longer, which are engaged in commerce or are equipped with a galley and berthing must have a written Waste Management Plan.

Marine sanitation devices

A marine sanitation device shall be deemed approved by the United States Coast Guard if:

• It complies with the provisions of 33 C.F.R. § 159; and
• It is legibly labeled as meeting those requirements.

To secure adequately a marine sanitation device for the purpose of preventing the intentional, accidental or surreptitious use of the device, a physical barrier or other method which accomplishes that purpose must be used or placed on the device. The barriers or methods may include the closing and padlocking of the seacock, using a tie made of wire which is incapable of being released, using heavy tape or removing the handle of the seacock. If a marine sanitation device is equipped with a Y valve which allows sewage to be directly discharged from the vessel into the waters of this State, the valve must be secured in the closed position anytime the vessel is in the waters of Nevada.

Prohibited discharges

A person shall not discharge into the waters of this State:

• The contents of a holding tank or portable device; or
• Any bilge water or graywater, which contains oil, fuel or other contaminants which are not biodegradable.

As used in this section:

• “Bilge water” means water which collects by seepage or leakage in the bilge of a vessel.
• “Discharge” means to spill, leak, pump, pour, emit, empty or dump.
• “Graywater” means untreated wastewater which has not come into contact with waste from toilets. The term includes used water from a bathtub, shower, washbasin, washing machine, laundry tub, galley sink or dishwasher.