Next message: Arthay, Antonio: "RE: lv-ab: Are you nuts?"
Wow, let's see if I can get a word in edgewise... this topic has really
touched nerves, including my own! I'm not only new to this list (just a
reader until now!), but I am also new to boating in general and living
aboard specifically. I bought a 60' 1951 Shain motoryacht in June and have
been living aboard (and in heaven) since.
As a matter of fact, I had been looking to purchase my first home but was
thwarted by high real estate prices (in the Seattle area). Everything,
including my goals and lifestyle, changed when I saw my Besherte.
When I first got her, I was told by my new harbormaster that her sanitation
system was not acceptable, having only a straight-through head in the
forepeak and an aft head with only a small holding tank and no room to
install a larger one. So I did my research and decided to roll into the cost
of the vessel the large expense of an incinerating toilet. I replaced the
forward head with this unit, and now have the best of all worlds: electric
incineration while docked to shore power, a holding tank to use when
cruising close in, and a Y-valve to open when the time comes to go way out.
I, too, am dismayed by the thought of others pumping human waste into our
waters. I believe it is our civic duty to be good neighbors to each other
and responsible stewards of the marine ecosystem. Here in the Puget Sound
area shellfish beds are being closed because the high fecal coliform levels
are contaminating and killing the creatures. Maybe in the olden days
"everyone" did it (direct discharge), but there are so many boaters now that
we cannot afford ignorance or indifference.
My kids swim in the water close to the marina, and I ever saw a neighbor
dumping crap into our lake you'd better believe I would take action. It
would start with talking to the offender about it first, then going from
there if necessary. Our state DNR is trying to extinguish the liveaboard
lifestyle and we do not need to give them the extra ammunition of slovenly
sanitation habits.
Victoria
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