Cruising Sailors Forum Archive

You thought correctly, Gene.

The discharge of raw untreated sewage is illegal in all US waters inside the "3 mile limit" (9 miles in the FL Keys). The discharge of TREATED waste from a CG certified Type I or II MSD (treatment device) is legal in all US waters except those water specifically designated "no discharge" (mostly inland lakes, but also a few coastal areas). It is legal to flush the toilet directly overboard outside the "3 mile limit." However, the "3 mile limit" does NOT mean 3 miles from the nearest shore in a harbor, lake or bay...you must be in open ocean at at least 3 miles from the nearest point on the whole US coastline or any island.

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