T&T: Bahamas Regs re Sewage

[Russell Davignon]

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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[Steve Sipe]

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

[Jonathan Haas]

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
>>
>

[Chester Brummett]

From memory, White Sound, Green Turtle Cay and Hopetown Harbour on Elbow Cay have signs stating "no head discharge". I think I remember a similar sign at Little Harbour.

Don't know if these signs are just "local request" or if they are backed up by local law. No pump out facilities at either location, just use your holding tank until you get into open water. Hope you would do this even if not a local request--just doesn't seem "very nice" to dump straight overboard in a crowded anchorage.

Definitely, Marsh Harbour is poluted, though I did talk to one boat captain (professional) at Harbour View Marina that said he was using his water maker--I was surprised. No problem with the available dockside water.

Having cruised the Bahamas for years, good water is readily available. In Abacos, average cost is 20 cents per gallon; in central Exuma (Staniel Cay), 40 - 50 cents per gallon. I have never had a problem with any of this water, and do not consider the cost of a water maker to be justified if this is you cruising area.

You have to go to the Exumas to understand the difference in water clarity compared to the Abacos. It is very noticable. Abacos used to be that clear, 30 - 40 years ago, but no longer. Abacos is too built up. Exuma Park has closed a 20+ mile area in the main cruising gounds of the central Exumas, so no development to spoil the area.

I have heard that harbour outside Georgetown (Exuma) gets pretty ripe during the busy winter season. I have only been there in late spring, early summer, and it is not too bad. I have never seen any pump out boat or facility at Georgetown.

Chet
Defever 49 CPMY, Cygnet
Daytona Beach, FL