THE ENVIRONMENT

Wind and Current

A boat’s handling characteristics are effected by wind and current, no matter what type of hull and power combination it has. Keeping a course or maneuvering in close quarters may be straightforward on a calm day during a slack tidal current, but the boat may become quite ill-mannered when coping with a stiff crosswind or crosscurrent. Since bows on many power boats are higher than the terns, they tend to fall off the wind when backing, despite anything that is done with the helm.

Hull type has the most effect on how a boat reacts to the current. Displacement-type hulls with considerable draft are affected by current to a greater extent than shallower-draft, lighter, planing-type hulls. Water is much denser than air, so a half-knot crosscurrent may have more effect on a displacement cruiser than a stiff 15-to 20- knot wind. On the other hand, given the same conditions, a planing –type hull with a high tuna tower could be more affected by wind than by current. Neither a displacement nor planing boat can ignore the wind current. Skipper of both will find one of them a major factor affecting the boat’s maneuverability. This becomes most apparent while running at low speed in close quarters.

Tides and Sea Conditions
Large ocean undulations, generated by distant storms and unrelated to local causes, are called swells. The surface of a swell may be perfectly calm, but it is usually textured by the wind into groups of tiny ripples called catspaws. The ripples gradually build into waves. Each crest reaches higher above its trough as the waves travel faster over a longer fetch-the distance free of obstructions. Increasing wind tears at the wave tops, revealing whitecaps and throwing off spume. When this heavy sea encounters shallow water, its energy can no longer be absorbed by circular movement of water within each wave. The crests rise and break. Surf crashes ashore.
The same sea, meeting a current will rear up, creating a rip, sometimes amplified by the narrowing funnel of an inlet. Over long fetches of shallow water strong winds may create waves of moderate height, but viciously steep and short a chop-even more dangerous than ocean waves of greater size. Lake Erie and Delaware Bay, for example, are two bodies of water renowned for choppy conditions.
Coastal and inland boaters are familiar with currents, the horizontal flow of water in a downstream direction. Currents are also found in open water where they range from huge, persistent ocean movements, such as the Gulf Stream or the California Current, to the strong but short-lived undertow, or rip current, of a beach where surf finds its way back offshore. Ocean, lake and river currents respond to the push of prevailing winds. In addition, ocean currents are affected by variations in water density resulting from different levels of salinity and temperatures.
The largest currents are part of the world’s five gyres- giant circular oceanic currents. There are two gyres in the Northern Hemisphere that travels in a clockwise direction: one circling the North Atlantic; the other, the North Pacific. Three gyres in the Southern Hemisphere circle the South Atlantic, the South Pacific and the Indian Ocean in a counterclockwise direction. While the gyres are surface currents, there are other equally important countervailing deep currents.
Regular, intermittent currents that respond to movement of the sun and moon are called tidal currents. Tides are the actual rise and fall in local water level as tidal currents force masses of water alternately against and away from shore. Incoming tidal currents flood, then ebb as they retreat. The strongest are associated with spring tides during new and full moons, when the moon and sun pull in parallel directions. Tide currents flow more gently as neap tides that occur at the quarter moon.
Every current, regardless of its origin, has a set and a drift (speed). Set is the true direction toward which a current flows; drift is its speed. The speed of tidal currents and the height of the tides are so important to coastal navigation that annual tide tables and tidal current tables are published under government supervision.
Depending upon the bodies of water on which you boat, tides can have a major impact on your boating experience. Watch the tide charts or listen to tide reports in your area before you go boating. Going aground is never a good time.

Boating and the Environment
Boat owners who do their own maintenance and repair work must be aware of the environmental consequences, and must learn the basic steps they can take to protect the environment, remembering that they themselves are part of what they will be protecting. If they prefer to use professional maintenance, they should apply the same basic principles to the yard that is doing the work.

10 ways to more environmentally safe boating…
Boaters have a vested interest in clean water, which is able to support diverse fish and wildlife.  One by one our collective actions add up.  Here are some ideas from the BOAT/US Clean Water Trust about how you can help the waters while boating.
  • Stash your trash.  Never throw anything into the water that didn’t come out of it. Keep trash, even food waste, onboard and bring it back to recycle or throw away on shore.
  • Fish for the future.   Learn proper catch and release techniques and use them after you've caught what you need.
  • Respect marine wildlife.  Don’t feed or harass dolphins and other mammals. Reduce speed and give a wide berth to whales and manatees.
  • Watch your wake.  Large wakes can unnecessarily accelerate shoreline erosion.  Throttle back in narrow waterways. Use moorings rather than anchoring in environmentally delicate areas such as coral reef. When snorkeling or diving, never touch any live coral
  • Comply with sewage standards.  Install a coast Guard- approved marine sanitation device on your boat and use it.  Consult up-to-date cruising guides for the locations of pump- out facilities. If you can’t find one in your area, organize boat owners to convince your local marina to install one.
  • Tune up your engine.  A tuned engine improves fuel economy and burns fuel more efficiently, causing fewer emissions into the air and water.
  • Refuel with care.  Take precautions to keep fuel and oil out of the water.  Do not top off your fuel tanks, as it usually leads to spillage.   Use a "bilge pillow" to soak up leaks in your bilge.
  • Reuse and recycle.  Recycle spent antifreeze, fuel, oil, oil filters, and batteries.  Use less toxic propylene glycol antifreeze whenever possible, but check before mixing it with other antifreeze for recycling.
  • Wash often.  Wash your decks regularly with fresh water and a scrub brush to reduce the amount of strong chemical cleaners needed throughout the boating season.
  • Get involved.  You can make an even greater impact by donating money and/or your time to environmental action groups, from national organizations like the Center for Marine Conservation,  the BoatU.S. Foundation, and to regional groups such as the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.   Be a watchdog. If you’re out on the water and see oil or chemical spill or other pollution, call the Coast Guard’s National response Center hotline (800-424-8802).

Marine Sanitation Devices (MSDs)
In most inland and coastal waters, boats with installed toilets are required to have a sanitation system on board in order to control pollution. Standards have been set by the Environmental Protection Agency, and regulations have been Issued by the Coast Guard, covering the certification and use of Marine Sanitation Devices. Sanitation systems consist of an installed head (toilet), a waste-treating device (MSD), and/or a holding tank.
As with most Coast Guard Certified equipment, there are different classifications to cover most every marine application.
Type One MSD systems, such as a head coupled with a Lectra-San, are legal on vessels less than 65 feet that boat in an area not declared a Federal No-Discharge Zone. Type One MSDs typically discharge treated waste directly overboard. Type One MSDs are treatment systems that reduce bacteria and discharge no visible floating solids. (Not legal in some state boating areas as well. Check local laws before installing.)
Type Two MSD systems are similar to type one systems, but are more powerful, and do a better job of treating waste. These are typically installed in boats over 65 feet because of the power demands, but can be used on any vessel outside of a no-discharge zone.
Type Three MSD systems are the most prevalent system in use today, as they are the least complicated and the least expensive. This system used a head connected directly to a holding tank. Some systems use "Y-valves" that allow waste flow to be diverted directly overboard. (outside 3-mile discharge limit) Holding tanks can be emptied at many marinas or state run pump-out stations.
Portable toilets are usually small units (Porta-Potties) that are "charged" with a few gallons of water and special chemicals. This treated water, plus the wastes, are flushed into the bottom each time the unit is used. The toilet can be used for several days before pumpout is needed. Though these are not considered to be MSD’s as they are not permanently installed, they are legal to use on all waters.

Sewage System Options

Options for your boat's sewage system, depending on where you boat:
INLAND COASTAL OCEAN
Type/Cost Inland Lakes and No Discharge Areas* Rivers, Bays, Sounds, Etc. Coastal and offshore areas
Installed toilet w/USCG Certified Type I MSD Cost: $1200+ Not Legal.  Type I + II MSD's treat the waste and discharge it overboard Legal Option.  Reduces bacteria but not nutrients, in waste before discharging overboard. Good option for boats <65'.  Not dependent on finding onshore pumpout stations.  Treats waste before discharging overboard
Installed toilet w/USCG Certified Type II MSD Cost: $4000+ Good option for larger boats.  Not dependent on onshore pumpout stations.  Treats waste more effectively than Type I and discharges is overboard.
Installed toilet with a USCG Certified Type I or II MSD and a Type III holding tank       Cost: $1400-4200 Offers the most flexibility for use anywhere.   Requires more space & more equipment.  While in No Discharge Areas or inland, can treat waste and keep in holding tank for onshore pumpout.  In coastal areas, can use pumpout if onshore facilities are available or discharge treated waste overboard.  While offshore, can treat waste and discharge overboard.
Installed toilet w/Type III MSD.  Cost: $500+ Good option.  Keeps waste out of water.   Relies on having adequate onshore pumpout facilities. Not practical for offshore without "Y" valve as a way to divert waste from holding tank.
Installed toilet w/Type III MSD and "Y" valve Cost: $500+ Good option.  Keeps waste out of water.   Relies on having adequate onshore pumpout facilities.  While offshore, "Y" valve can be open to legally discharge directly overboard.  While not offshore, "Y" valve must be closed.
Portable toilet Cost: $70+ Good option.  Keeps waste out of water.   Can use available onshore dump stations or dump in onshore toilet. Need more capacity to be a practical option

*States with lakes capable of interstate navigation may allow the use of Type I or II's.

Are You In Compliance?
Equipment on Boat: Legal? Restrictions and Comments:
Installed toilet without MSD No
Installed toilet with macerator No USCG regulations require that all installed toilets have an attached MSD.  Macerator does not count.
Installed toilet with Type I MSD* Yes (But not ok in No Discharge Areas) Ok on boats <65'.  Discharge is <1000 per 100 milliliters of fecal coliform bacteria with no visibly identifiable floating solids.
Installed toilet with Type II MSD** Yes (But not ok in No Discharge Areas) Ok on any size boat.  found on larger boats because of electricity and space requirements.  Discharge is <200 per 100 milliliters of fecal coliform bacteria with <150 milligrams of suspended solids per liter.
Installed toilet with Type III MSD** Yes Keeps waste out of water by using a holding tank.   Discharge at onshore pumpout facility or via "Y" valve while more than 3 miles offshore in the ocean.
Portable toilet Legal on any boat.* Does not fall under USCG regulations of MSD's.
No installed toilet Yes Remember No Discharge Area rules.
Note:  Some states have additional restrictions.  For example, in Florida, houseboats may only have a Type III MSD or a permanent sewer line to shore.  Check on your state's laws

** Must be USCG certified

* Not legal in the province of Ontario