Final answer:
Under USCG and US EPA regulations, vessels under 65 feet must discharge sewage at a designated pump-out facility or treat it, ensuring it complies with environmental standards before discharging into US waters. These regulations are part of efforts to protect waterways and prevent pollution, including the spread of invasive species from ballast water.
Step-by-step explanation:
If your vessel is under 65 feet long and you have a toilet equipped with a holding tank, the location where you discharge sewage is regulated by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA).
In general, you are not allowed to discharge untreated sewage within territorial waters, which generally extend 3 nautical miles from the coast in the United States.
You must discharge sewage at a designated pump-out station or treat it properly before discharging according to federal and state regulations. The discharge of sewage is also subject to the Clean Water Act which prohibits the discharge of all pollutants, including sewage, unless permitted by the US EPA.
Additionally, in response to the issue of ballast water (BW) carrying invasive species, the USCG has mandated that commercial vessels follow strict management protocols to minimize environmental impact.
Although these regulations primarily apply to ballast water, the principle of protecting waterways from contamination applies to sewage discharge as well. To prevent further environmental harm, vessel owners must comply with both federal rules and any additional state or local regulations governing the disposal of sewage.