Sewage, and even grey water, carries a host of pathogens. Sewage discharged from boaters, municipal sewage, poorly functioning septic tanks, and pet waste are major sources of fecal contamination to our waters. Fecal contamination can have a variety of effects, most notably the closure of commercial and recreational shellfish beds due to the health risks posed by this concentrated bacteria.
While no one relishes the task of pumping sewage, pump-outs make the job easy, and protect our waters and shellfish beds. If your boat is equipped with a holding tank, store your sewage and use the pump-out when you reach the harbor. Marina staff are glad to show you how pump-outs work. If you don’t have a holding tank, use a porta-potty for your boat. These are available at many local marine supply stores.
Please check
ONLY those items that apply to you,
and that you are not already doing.
I pledge to:
A.
Store sewage in a holding tank or porta-potty while cruising.
B.
Limit the need to discharge grey water by using marina facilities for laundry and showers.
C.
Use pump-outs for sewage, and even grey water if possible, when cruising or returning to the harbor.
D.
When at all possible discharge grey water into deep, heavily flushed areas. Never into shellfish harvesting areas or marinas.
E.
Scoop the Poop! On shore I’ll use "mutt mitt" stations or carry a plastic bag to pick up my pet’s waste.
Squalicum Harbor: There are fixed pump-outs at Gates 1 and 10 and portable units that you can take to your slip are kept at Gates 3, 5, 6, and 12.
Blaine Marina: There are four portable pumpout stations located at Gates 1, 2, 3.
