Vessel Discharge
The discharge of untreated "sewage"
from boats into waters of the State is prohibited by both State law
(Florida Litter Law - 403.413, F.S.) and Federal law (Clean Water
Act). Note, graywater is not considered "sewage" in the law.
Therefore, the discharge of graywater from boats into the sea around
Florida is currently not prohibited. The law defines graywater from
boats as "galley (kitchen), bath, and shower water."
Cruise Ships
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection entered into a
Memorandum of Understanding
with the cruise industry on December 6, 2001 regarding sewage discharges from cruise ships.
Gambling Vessels
The
Florida Clean Ocean Act, Section 376.25, F.S., was
enacted in July 2008. The Act directed the Florida Department of
Environmental Protection to implement a registration program for
gambling vessels. The Department developed and adopted
Chapter 62-606 F.A.C.,
Releases from Gambling Vessels, on April 4, 2010. The rule
requires owners/operators of gambling vessels to register with DEP and
report releases of wastes into Florida Coastal Waters. It also requires
waterfront landing facilities (berths) to provide certain waste services
and requires the Department to provide an estimate of the minimum
waste-service demand for each berth on its website.
There are also areas in state waters that have been designated as
No Discharge Zones (NDZ). A NDZ prohibits the discharge of any
sewage, whether treated or not, from a vessel into these state
waters. In Florida there are NDZ's, near Ft. Walton Beach and around
the Florida Keys.
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