MCSO fines multiple boats for improper processing of raw sewage
Martin County, Fl- A surprise round of marine sanitation device inspections resulted in six boat owners getting tickets from the Martin County Sheriff’s Office.
Martin County Sheriff’s Marine Deputies ticketed six owner/operators of live-aboard boats anchored in our local waterways. This was following surprise marine sanitation device inspections. These inspections were geared towards reducing the amount of raw sewage and human waste being dumped into our waterways. Of the 115 vessels inspected, deputies determined that six had toilet systems that were either inoperable or not in place. In at least one case, raw sewage from the vessel was running into the waterway.
The month long operation was carried out with the assistance of Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Officers. The focus on the waterways within the jurisdictional confines of Martin County commonly utilized to anchor live-aboard vessels. Those areas included Manatee Pocket, Pendarvis Cove, Sunset Bay Marina mooring field, Jensen Beach Causeway, Jimmy Graham Park, Peck Lake Park and the Tequesta Sandbar area.
Despite a vessel pump out service, which even offers to travel to the anchored vessels free of charge, some owners/operators chose to ignore the importance of proper processing of raw sewage, and allow raw sewage to discharge from their vessel.
The Florida Clean Vessel Act of 1994 prohibits vessels from discharging raw sewage into freshwater or within coastal salt water limits.
Martin County offers FREE pump out service called the M.S. POOP – Martin Ship Pump Out Operation Program. You can arrange for a FREE pump out by radio channel 16 or call 772-260-8326. The operator is not even allowed to accept tips. It is available Tuesday – Saturday 8am – 3pm. Since the program’s inception, over 1 million gallons of sewage has been removed from vessels.
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