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Re: Dumping the holding tanks
[Re: SteveInMD]
#86296
02/14/2016 03:20 PM
02/14/2016 03:20 PM
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 138 Ontario, Canada
henryv
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Traveler
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 138
Ontario, Canada
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You want to provide the maximum opportunity for dissipation away from swimming and snorkelling areas. It helps to give consideration to where the wind is blowing the surface waters.
Henryv
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Re: Dumping the holding tanks
[Re: Pvgreg]
#86299
02/14/2016 07:45 PM
02/14/2016 07:45 PM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 183 British Virgin Islands
Yachtmaster
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 183
British Virgin Islands
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Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour has a functioning pump-out facility. It is at the fuel dock. Costs $75.00 to pump out. Who knows what is done with the sewage after it is pumped out....??
Last time I checked, Nanny Cay has a pump-out facility on the fuel dock, but it was not operational......
Safe and enjoyable boating.
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Re: Dumping the holding tanks
[Re: GeorgeC1]
#86301
02/14/2016 09:54 PM
02/14/2016 09:54 PM
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 886 Louisville, KY
NoelHall
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Traveler
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Posts: 886
Louisville, KY
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I have to ask at Voyage to have the Y valves switched to the holding tanks, otherwise they are set to empty directly into the water.
Noel Hall "It is humbling indeed, to discover my own opinion is only correct less than 50% of the time." www.noelhall.com
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Re: Dumping the holding tanks
[Re: NoelHall]
#86302
02/14/2016 10:43 PM
02/14/2016 10:43 PM
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,999 Macon, Georgia
GlennA
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,999
Macon, Georgia
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I have been trying to avoided this thread but having testified before a House subcommittee on Type III MSDs I have done quite a bit of research on the subject.
I must say there is no safe place to dump a full holding tank anywhere between the North and South Drops. There are no operable pump out facilities on Tortola because anything that passes through them is discharged with virtually no treatment about 400 yards off Slaney Point along with 80% of the islands other sewage.
To make the best of a bad situation, dilution is the best solution. It is best to leave the tank open to the sea while underway until entering an anchorage then leave it closed until at least 1000 yards off shore in more than 200 feet depth. The reason for the depth is to allow solids to disburse. It will be consumed by bottom feeders. (Remember that when you chow down on some conch fridders or Lobsta <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Devil.gif" alt="" />) Fresh water bacterial will be killed off fairly quickly in the ocean. The big problem is nitrogen. Nitrogen stimulates the algae that smothers coral and can persist in strong concentration for miles. Think about your location and the currents before opening the tank. Where will the nitrogen end up? On the Indians? Monkey Point?
Last edited by GlennA; 02/14/2016 10:48 PM.
Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. - Mark Twain
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Re: Dumping the holding tanks
[Re: GlennA]
#86304
02/15/2016 12:28 AM
02/15/2016 12:28 AM
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 465 Chicago
YachtReprise
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 465
Chicago
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GlennA said: I have been trying to avoided this thread but having testified before a House subcommittee on Type III MSDs I have done quite a bit of research on the subject.
I must say there is no safe place to dump a full holding tank anywhere between the North and South Drops. There are no operable pump out facilities on Tortola because anything that passes through them is discharged with virtually no treatment about 400 yards off Slaney Point along with 80% of the islands other sewage.
To make the best of a bad situation, dilution is the best solution. It is best to leave the tank open to the sea while underway until entering an anchorage then leave it closed until at least 1000 yards off shore in more than 200 feet depth. The reason for the depth is to allow solids to disburse. It will be consumed by bottom feeders. (Remember that when you chow down on some conch fridders or Lobsta <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Devil.gif" alt="" />) Fresh water bacterial will be killed off fairly quickly in the ocean. The big problem is nitrogen. Nitrogen stimulates the algae that smothers coral and can persist in strong concentration for miles. Think about your location and the currents before opening the tank. Where will the nitrogen end up? On the Indians? Monkey Point? As usual, Glenn, a very realistic and thorough summation of the current situation. Godblessya! The Slaney dumping site is just another one of 'Nature's Dirty Little Secrets'. I'm not sure where it will end. Perhaps like in the DR where so many bays are so polluted that swimming is unthinkable. I dunno.
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Re: Dumping the holding tanks
[Re: YachtReprise]
#86305
02/16/2016 09:31 AM
02/16/2016 09:31 AM
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,999 Macon, Georgia
GlennA
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,999
Macon, Georgia
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I am pleased to make a correction to my previous post! After years of trying to get an overview of the sewerage infrastructure from the BVI water department and being treated as if I was after some state secret, BVI has just posted a pretty complete overview on Facebook!
The new Burt Point treatment plant that was started up in November is treating to tertiary level which means all solids, biologics and desolved solids are removed before being discharged at Slaney Point. (Evidently they are still figuring out how to operate it as they had a major overflow a couple weeks ago.)
Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. - Mark Twain
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Re: Dumping the holding tanks
[Re: Yachtmaster]
#86306
02/16/2016 10:08 AM
02/16/2016 10:08 AM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,680 An island state of mind
tradewinds
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,680
An island state of mind
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Yachtmaster said: Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour has a functioning pump-out facility. It is at the fuel dock. Costs $75.00 to pump out. Who knows what is done with the sewage after it is pumped out....??
Is that something new?
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Re: Dumping the holding tanks
[Re: tradewinds]
#86307
02/16/2016 05:40 PM
02/16/2016 05:40 PM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,321 Charlotte, NC
SuburbanDharma
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,321
Charlotte, NC
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All of the Moorings boats we've been on had the Y-valves zip-tied in the overboard position, and our last Horizon charter did as well. I think of this often when swimming in mooring fields. Blech. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Sick.gif" alt="" />
Edit: correction: when we first started chartering with them the tanks were usable, then that seemed to change later on.
Last edited by SuburbanDharma; 02/16/2016 11:16 PM.
If I can't be a good example, I'll just have to be a horrible warning.
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Re: Dumping the holding tanks
[Re: GeorgeC1]
#86309
02/16/2016 07:17 PM
02/16/2016 07:17 PM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,321 Charlotte, NC
SuburbanDharma
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,321
Charlotte, NC
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GeorgeC1 said: How long ago was that? If it's happened in the last 2 years we need to look into it. The only larger company I know of now that does not want the tanks used is Voyage. They have a complex system that can't just be dumped. George Sorry, I meant to mention that our most recent charter was over 2 years ago. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />
If I can't be a good example, I'll just have to be a horrible warning.
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Re: Dumping the holding tanks
[Re: SuburbanDharma]
#86310
02/16/2016 08:29 PM
02/16/2016 08:29 PM
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,219 JAX
jphart
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,219
JAX
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Chartered w Moorings, Sunsail, Footlose. Got full instruction on holding tank instructions. No twist ties...ever.
Told to make sure valve was open on return to base. Otherwise a $200 charge, and "that would be some real expensive "stufff"". Same punch line every time.
JPH I spent my money on booze, broads, and boats...the rest I wasted.
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Re: Dumping the holding tanks
[Re: SuburbanDharma]
#86311
02/16/2016 10:35 PM
02/16/2016 10:35 PM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720 Massachusetts
maytrix
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720
Massachusetts
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SuburbanDharma said: All of the Moorings boats we've been on had the Y-valves zip-tied in the overboard position, and our last Horizon charter did as well. I think of this often when swimming in mooring fields. Blech. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Sick.gif" alt="" /> You sure its not well over 2 years (maybe over 6?) since you used Moorings? In our 6 years of using moorings/sunsail, not once have we ever seen that. Even on our very first charter in 2009 which was on one of their older cats - the Leopard 47.
Matt
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Re: Dumping the holding tanks
[Re: SuburbanDharma]
#86313
02/16/2016 11:27 PM
02/16/2016 11:27 PM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720 Massachusetts
maytrix
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720
Massachusetts
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Maybe they had them zip tied for the voyage to the BVI? I know one trip we had the fuel tank transfer valve closed - possible from delivery as I don't see them closing it once its there at all.
Matt
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Re: Dumping the holding tanks
[Re: cessnaflyr2]
#86321
02/18/2016 10:18 PM
02/18/2016 10:18 PM
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,999 Macon, Georgia
GlennA
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,999
Macon, Georgia
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I have generally been against the use of holding tanks in predominantly charter cruising areas because it creats hotspots. For example, people will tend to dump in the same place, just outside Road Harbor, Sopers, Nanny Cay or Fat Hog because they forgot to do it earlier and want to avoid an extra charge. Even the more conciencience will dump as they clear the pass out of North Sound and Cane Garden Bay. It is a simple statictical fact.
I may change my mind once I get a chance to verify the capacity and quality of the new Burt Point sewage plant and the new plant at Paraquita Bay comes on line. When that happens there will be no excuse for not having pump out facilaties at all fuel docks on Tortola.
Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. - Mark Twain
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