In a message dated 2/7/02 10:28:26 PM Eastern Standard Time, bemmanuel@mac.com writes: << I've seen a couple of rental boats in Europe where shower water goes directly in the bilge. Is this the way to go for a shower? Could it be bad for the bilge and pumps, considering the soap, hair, etc? >> Best practice is a small dedicated shower sump with an easily removable filter for hair and the like. A small dedicated bilge pump and float switch live inside the enclosed sump. After your shower, the rinse of fresh water should be long enough to wash out any soapy bath water. This stuff can get pretty ripe after a while. The best dedicated shower sumps are closed by a transparent top with an easy to open handle. No place that I know of has a problem with bath water draining overboard. Al Johnson 34' Marine Trader "Angelina"

> No place that I know of has a problem with bath water draining > overboard. -------- Yes, our marina does not permit it. I can understand why. Can you imagine all the soap suds floating around a marina with a few liveaboards taking showers every morning? I dont know if it is law yet. BUT... it's only a matter of time. You watch. It's not good for the environment, you know. Fish dont bathe in soapy waste water, gray or not.