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Chapter 7: Water Cleanliness and Small Vessels

Dumping Restrictions

It's a legal obligation to keep the waters clean. To this end, the U.S. Coast Guard prohibits dumping plastic or garbage mixed with plastic, in any waters.

Additionally, if operating a vessel within three miles of shore on coastal waters, Great Lakes, or any inland lakes, rivers, bays or sounds one faces more dumping restrictions. In these waters, it is illegal to dump plastic, packing materials, and any garbage. The only things allowed to be dumped that are similar to waste are dishwater (also known as grey water) and fresh fish parts.

Any vessel greater than 26 feet in length, operating in federal waters, must clearly display a 4 by 8 inch "Save Our Seas" (or S.O.S) placard. These placards outline waste disposal regulations and increase awareness and may be purchased from most boat dealers and marinas.

Dumping Restrictions

The U.S. Coast Guard prohibits dumping plastic (or garbage mixed with plastic) in any waters.

  • Within three miles of the U.S. and its lakes, rivers, bays, and sounds and anywhere on the Great Lakes, no matter how far from shore it is illegal to dump plastic, lining, dunnage, buoyant packing materials, and any garbage other than dishwater (grey water) or fresh fish parts.
  • Within 3 to 12 miles of the U.S., it is illegal to dump plastic, lining, dunnage, buoyant packing materials, and any garbage not ground down to less than one square inch.
  • Within 12 to 25 miles of the U.S., it is illegal to dump plastic, lining, dunnage, and buoyant packing materials.
  • Outside of 25 miles of the U.S., it is illegal to dump plastic.

Liquid Waste:

One cannot dump raw sewage, into the water, anywhere within three nautical miles of shore. Additionally, certain states (and Canada) have special regulations for the proper disposal of treated waste including shower water, gray water, or laundry water.

Always check with local authorities to verify what can and cannot be dumped into the waters one plan to boat on.

Finally, remember that untreated human waste may never be dumped in any inland waters.