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Russell Davignon

Sun, Aug 26, 2012 6:38 PM

What are the Bahamian rules regarding sewage i.e. head discharge?? Raw, MSD I/II/III or are there any at all??? Trash seems to be unregualted and since no seems to make water in any harbors, I am assuming the worst.

Thanks Russ

Be Holy or Die Trying" St Stephen 33AD

"Be joyful always; Pray constantly; Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ.....Test everything. Hold on to what is good. 1 Thessalonians 5:16

"Since you cannot do good to all, you are to pay special attention to those who, by the accidents of time, or place, or circumstances, are brought into closer connection with you." St Augustine

What are the Bahamian rules regarding sewage i.e. head discharge?? Raw, MSD I/II/III or are there any at all??? Trash seems to be unregualted and since no seems to make water in any harbors, I am assuming the worst. Thanks Russ Be Holy or Die Trying" St Stephen 33AD "Be joyful always; Pray constantly; Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ.....Test everything. Hold on to what is good. 1 Thessalonians 5:16 "Since you cannot do good to all, you are to pay special attention to those who, by the accidents of time, or place, or circumstances, are brought into closer connection with you." St Augustine

SS

Steve Sipe

Mon, Aug 27, 2012 2:23 AM

On 8/26/2012 2:38 PM, Russell Davignon wrote:

What are the Bahamian rules regarding sewage i.e. head discharge?? Raw, MSD I/II/III or are there any at all??? Trash seems to be unregualted and since no seems to make water in any harbors, I am assuming the worst.

Thanks Russ

<snip> Keep in mind the Bahamas is pretty much a 3rd world country, regulations may be there, no manpower to enforce it. So whatever regulations are in place is moot. There are PLENTY of spots on the islands where the sewer line drops into the adjacent water. One place I saw 1st hand was in Marsh Harbor. Now, theoretically, your membranes will reject bacteria, but it can still foul the filters and eventually the membranes, and then there's the yuck factor that can be hard to stomach!

Many cruisers make an effort to discharge in deeper water where the
currents carry effluent out to sea, but there are plenty of boats in
concentrated areas that discharge directly overboard, Marsh Harbor being
one, Georgetown another, although there is a pumpout boat circulating in
Georgetown, I didn't spend enough time there to assess the reliability
of that. I will say that Marsh Harbor has some of the ugliest water in
the Bahamas. Can't see the bottom. Much prefer the Exumas where the
water is gin-clear. Literally. The Abacos are nice, but can't compare
IMO to the Exumas, FWIW. YMMV.

--
Steve Sipe
Solo 4303 "Maerin"
Lying Cumberland Is, GA

On 8/26/2012 2:38 PM, Russell Davignon wrote: > What are the Bahamian rules regarding sewage i.e. head discharge?? Raw, MSD I/II/III or are there any at all??? Trash seems to be unregualted and since no seems to make water in any harbors, I am assuming the worst. > > Thanks Russ > <snip> Keep in mind the Bahamas is pretty much a 3rd world country, regulations may be there, no manpower to enforce it. So whatever regulations are in place is moot. There are PLENTY of spots on the islands where the sewer line drops into the adjacent water. One place I saw 1st hand was in Marsh Harbor. Now, theoretically, your membranes will reject bacteria, but it can still foul the filters and eventually the membranes, and then there's the yuck factor that can be hard to stomach! Many cruisers make an effort to discharge in deeper water where the currents carry effluent out to sea, but there are plenty of boats in concentrated areas that discharge directly overboard, Marsh Harbor being one, Georgetown another, although there is a pumpout boat circulating in Georgetown, I didn't spend enough time there to assess the reliability of that. I will say that Marsh Harbor has some of the ugliest water in the Bahamas. Can't see the bottom. Much prefer the Exumas where the water is gin-clear. Literally. The Abacos are nice, but can't compare IMO to the Exumas, FWIW. YMMV. -- Steve Sipe Solo 4303 "Maerin" Lying Cumberland Is, GA

JH

Jonathan Haas

Mon, Aug 27, 2012 2:34 PM

We just returned recently from a two week cruise in the Abacos. What has
been said about Marsh Harbour is true. It is filled with sludge and grim.
Throughout the Abacos, black water is discharged directly into the water.
That being said, outside Marsh Harbour we did not notice any "problems"
with or in the water. The water is crystal clear (did not get to the
Exumas to compare, but water can't get much clearer than what we cruised
in) and relatively shallow (compared to say BVI). We did not have trouble
with RO water, but did notice a number of people on the local cruiser
channel who were deliberately searching for non-RO water. We wouldn't
hesitate to make water anywhere in the Abacos outside of Marsh Harbour.

Jonathan

On 8/26/2012 2:38 PM, Russell Davignon wrote:

What are the Bahamian rules regarding sewage i.e. head discharge?? Raw,
MSD I/II/III or are there any at all??? Trash seems to be unregualted and
since no seems to make water in any harbors, I am assuming the worst.
Thanks Russ

We just returned recently from a two week cruise in the Abacos. What has been said about Marsh Harbour is true. It is filled with sludge and grim. Throughout the Abacos, black water is discharged directly into the water. That being said, outside Marsh Harbour we did not notice any "problems" with or in the water. The water is crystal clear (did not get to the Exumas to compare, but water can't get much clearer than what we cruised in) and relatively shallow (compared to say BVI). We did not have trouble with RO water, but did notice a number of people on the local cruiser channel who were deliberately searching for non-RO water. We wouldn't hesitate to make water anywhere in the Abacos outside of Marsh Harbour. Jonathan On 8/26/2012 2:38 PM, Russell Davignon wrote: > >> What are the Bahamian rules regarding sewage i.e. head discharge?? Raw, >> MSD I/II/III or are there any at all??? Trash seems to be unregualted and >> since no seems to make water in any harbors, I am assuming the worst. >> Thanks Russ >> >

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Bahamas Regs re Sewage