§ 6035 — Vessel sewage discharge

(a) Marina owners/operators for marinas that are located in whole or in part on tidal waters of the State, and that provide dockage for vessels with a portable toilet or toilets or Type III marine sanitation device or devices (MSD), shall provide convenient access, as determined by the Department, to an approved, fully operable and well maintained pumpout facility or facilities and/or dump station or stations for the removal of sewage from said vessels to a Department approved sewage disposal system.

(b) (1) Owners/operators may agree to pool resources for a single pumpout dump station with Departmental approval based on criteria of number and class of vessels, marina locations, cost per pumpout use, and ultimate method of sewage treatment and disposal (i.e. septic system or waste water treatment facility).

(2) The owner/operator of any boat docking facility that is located in whole or in part on tidal waters of the State, and that provides dockage for a live-aboard vessel or vessels with a Type III marine sanitation device or devices, shall install and maintain at all times, in a fully operable condition, an approved dedicated pumpout facility at each live-aboard vessel slip for the purpose of removing sewage from the live-abroad vessel on a continuous or automatic, intermittent basis to a Department approved sewage disposal system.

(3) Any discharge, by any means, of untreated or inadequately treated vessel sewage into or upon the waters of any marina, boat docking facility or tidal water of the State is prohibited.

(4) All vessels while on waters of the State shall comply with 33 U.S.C. § 1322, as amended February 4, 1987.

(5) The Secretary shall have authority to adopt reasonable rules and regulations to implement this section.

Legislative History

66 Del. Laws, c. 275, § 2 ; 68 Del. Laws, c. 137, § 3 ; 68 Del. Laws, c. 403, §§ 3-6