Glossary
A marina service that empties a boat's onboard sewage (black-water) holding tank.
Pump-out service empties a boat's onboard sewage holding tank (called the black-water tank). Required at any marina where boats stay overnight - direct overboard discharge of untreated sewage is illegal under the federal Clean Water Act within 3 miles of US coast. Service is provided either dockside via a mobile pump-out boat or at fixed pump-out stations where boats pull alongside. Federal grant programs subsidize many marinas to offer pump-out free of charge. Storage facilities offering pump-out are strongly preferred by liveaboard owners and any boat used for multi-day trips. EPA-designated 'No Discharge Zones' require pump-out and ban any overboard discharge regardless of treatment.
Pump-out typically $5-$15 per use; some marinas include unlimited in slip fees.
A marina service that empties a boat's onboard sewage (black-water) holding tank.
Pump-out service empties a boat's onboard sewage holding tank (called the black-water tank). Required at any marina where boats stay overnight - direct overboard discharge of untreated sewage is illegal under the federal Clean Water Act within 3 miles of US coast.
Pump-out typically $5-$15 per use; some marinas include unlimited in slip fees.
Related terms: Wet Slip, Marina Fuel Dock, marina. See the StowHelp glossary for full definitions.