Bilge Products

Federal Regulations

Federal regulations governing boating include adherence to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and the Refuse Act.

The Federal Water Pollution Control Act hones in on the discharge of oil or other hazardous substances into the waterways.

The United States Coast Guard requires that a vessel's bilge be kept "reasonably clean." What's more, boat operators can face heavy fines should they pump oily bilge water out of the vessel and into the waterways. In fact, a boat operator can be fined for illegally polluting waterways if a even a small amount of contaminants ... just a visible sheen ... is seen floating atop the water near a boat. Fines have been known to exceed $20,000 for dumping oily bilge solution into the water.

Owners of recreational vessels are urged to equip their boats with with oil absorbent pads, bailer or pumps, and plastic bags to gather and transport hazardous substances, including oil, to an authorized reception facility. Most marinas and boat yards are authorized waste reception facilities.

• The act also specifies that no person may intentionally drain oil or oily waste from any source into the bilge.
• The Refuse Act prohibits discharging or depositing any trash, garbage, oil or other liquid pollutants into the nation's waters.
• In addition, no plastic items may be dumped overboard in US waters, including synthetic ropes, fishing nets and plastic bags.

The following guidelines must be followed to comply with the law: Dunnage … loose packing material used to protect a ship's cargo from damage during transport … prohibited less than 25 miles from land. Food waste, paper, rags, glass, metal, bottles and similar materials … prohibited less than 12 miles from land. Ground food waste, paper, rags, etc., prohibited less than 3 miles from land. If you spill any amount of hazardous waste or oil into the water, you must notify the US Coast Guard National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802, contact your local Coast Guard Station on Channels 9 or 16 or click here or e-mail the center (lst-nrcinfo@comdt.uscg.mil). Failure to report a spill may result in a civil penalty and/or imprisonment.