Locking the discharge valve for the head

Ronrog

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I have a GW 376 Canyon and most of my boating is on Lake Ontario and the St, Lawrence River and in both cases its easy to travel into Canadian waters. One of the stricter rules when being inspected by Canadian water enforcement agencies, is that the discharge valve for the Head must be locked.

After reviewing the ball valve, located in the floor of the salon, I cannot see an easy way to lock the ball valve shut. There is a hole in the ball valve that a lock or chain will go through it, but there is no way to secure to the hull or superstructure of the boat, with out installing something to run the chain or a cable through it.

I'm wondering if any fellow boaters have run into this situation or maybe have a way to secure the ball valve closed? I think I can take the valve handle off and this might meet with the Canadian requirements? Again, any and all suggestions are welcomed.

Ron
 

ElyseM

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not completely sure, but wouldn't a zip tie thru the handle and the fact that you need a separate key to operate the discharge meet requirements? i thought it was an inadvertent discharge that was being protected. lock or no lock, if you are going to dischage, you're going to discharge. good luck, ron
 

Ronrog

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Thanks for the response..and maybe you're right with the key lock for the electric discharge valve. As long as the key is not in the slot and hidden, it might solve the problem and I think I will run it past the US Coast Guard before I get stopped by the Canadian authorities. Thanks again.

Ron
 

DennisG01

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Overboard discharge of black water is not just a Canadian requirement. It is also illegal in all inland waters and (near) coastal waters of the US. I hope you're not currently discharging in the lake (correct me if I'm wrong, but no discharging is allowed in the Great Lakes, right?)! If you are, please stop polluting our waters.

A number of years ago I was redesigning my overboard discharge in a Sea Ray that I had. It was a 28' Sundancer, but I trailed it 80% of the time. I would use it inland, as well as offshore, but I would never use the overboard (through the hull bottom) discharge (it had a 28-gallon holding tank... more than enough for a week's worth). Instead, I would use a pump-out somewhere when I got back. Some of the inland places I went to didn't have a pump-out so I decided to disable the current thru-hull and re-route the discharge hose to a new fitting that went through the transom. This way, I could access it easily when on the trailer and could do a pump-out at home, into my sewer system. I used a different thru-hull than a typical mushroom and seacock. To easily hook a hose up, I used a "cam and groove" (with a cap for when not in used) setup which allows a quick, mess free hook-up/disconnect. I also added a remote control for the system so I wouldn't have to get in the boat to turn the key, either.

In preparing for this, especially since my system was a little out the ordinary, I researched what I had to do to make my system legal. I also physically called and talked to multiple agencies/people to find out if my system would pass an inspection.

During my researching and conversations, at no time did I find any evidence that simply removing the key would pass an inspection. The best I got was that "Only if the person doing the inspection didn't really go into much depth". I also asked about that in regards to a "standard" system and got the same answer. So, in addition to securing the thru-hull (cap, in my case), I added a secondary electrical disconnect to the wiring of the macerator - I used a "kill switch" for an engine. Every person I talked to, and since, have all agreed that this satisfies the intent of the law.

Now, in my case, I added that electrical disconnect because I had a different system than normal and wanted to physically show that I was doing my part to comply with the law. I wanted it to be obvious that I was doing my part. In your case (and anyone's that has a normal setup), the electrical disconnect would NOT be needed.

So, long story short, based on everything I researched (and have since found out), in your case you need to remove the key and physically disable the seacock. Using some mechanical means of securing the handle (zip ties, for example) would satisfy the law, as would simply removing the handle. The easiest thing to do in your case is to simply remove the handle and never put it back on, since you can't use the system where you boat, anyways. Don't throw it away, though. Store it away in the boat in case you're ever using the boat far enough offshore that it's legal. Although, it's still "best" to not do it at all. You should still "exercise" the seacock once a month, though, so it doesn't freeze up on you.

The hole in the handle is square? FYI, that is actually for a putting socket wrench in there to help move it. But, of course, you can use it for securing if you can find a suitable spot to tie it off to. for the system so I wouldn't have to get in the boat to turn the key, either.
 

Legend

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I put a zip lock through the seacock handle and around the pipe that goes to the thru hull. It actually does not lock it but everytime I have been checked they note the discharge was locked. Nobody has tried to open it, they just assume it is locked when they see the zip tie :). I use a pump out service and the discharge is below the deck floor and any access to it you must go through an access cover
 

Ronrog

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To Dennis G...I was asking a simple question and did not need a rude response. I have never discharged a holding tank in any type of open waters.

To the other responses, I say thank you...

Ron
 

DennisG01

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Ron, I think you need to read closer and not pass judgement. I said "If" you are doing that. I never implied that you are. However, based on what you wrote - which is all that we have to go by - it would "appear" that you were only concerned with this when entering Canadian waters, which would then raise suspicion that you ARE discharging in US waters. Even so, I still gave you the benefit of the doubt and only made a general statement and never said your WERE discharging.

"I have a GW 376 Canyon and most of my boating is on Lake Ontario and the St, Lawrence River and in both cases its easy to travel into Canadian waters. One of the stricter rules when being inspected by Canadian water enforcement agencies, is that the discharge valve for the Head must be locked.

After reviewing the ball valve, located in the floor of the salon, I cannot see an easy way to lock the ball valve shut. There is a hole in the ball valve that a lock or chain will go through it, but there is no way to secure to the hull or superstructure of the boat, with out installing something to run the chain or a cable through it."

Those two statements "may" imply that you've never locked the seacock before -- which is the reason I mentioned it's also a rule in the US. But, of course, it doesn't imply that you've actually discharged - which is why I only said "if".

On the other hand, I suppose the extra information I added to DIRECTLY and SPECIFICALLY answer your question wasn't helpful? I don't know about you, but my time is valuable and if it's not appreciated, then I see no reason to help in the future. Was I blunt in the first part of my response - yes. But what's wrong with being "to the point" - especially when it's dealing with something like discharging waste into our waters?
 

jip40

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On my 330 - (1) Take the key out of the discharge panel in head, (2) Have the thru hull handle in the off position and (3) have the circuit breaker for overboard discharge in the off position. I have never been inspected where they were looking at the thru hulls, only fish in the fish box and safety equipment. I feel that I have a good argument regarding locking the thru hull with the 3 step approach but it remains to be seen if I'm right :lol:
 

Ronrog

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Thanks Jeff for the response...that's pretty much what I do, but I also might go one step farther as another member has suggested and remove the seacock handle, but keep it handy if needed.

I appreciate your advice...Ron
 

wspitler

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Once upon a time, long ago, I was a USCG boarding officer. The only thing we (as taught in boarding officer school) inspected was to make sure the system (MSD) was "secured" in no discharge zones. The intent is to prevent inadvertent discharge. Someone on board, preferably the skipper, must have the ability to discharge in areas allowed. I was boarded by the state guys recently and told them the seacock was closed and the pump system locked and they were happy. Of course I have the key and could open the seacock. It doesn't have a lock. Some systems will gravity flow even without the pump energized, so, in my opinion the seacock is the key. As long as it is closed, no discharge can occur. Don't know how strict Canadians might be. Keeping unused seacocks closed at all times is good practice regardless of their usage. In an area like the lakes, where there are no legal discharge areas, a lock on the seacock might be a good idea, with the key at home, just to be sure you don't run into a grumpy boarding officer!