Four winns 258 VISTA, Owner'S Manual

Page: 28 / 259

Owner’s Manual Page Operation - Section A
A - 16 MARPOL TREATY
Boats 26 feet or longer must display a sign stating the
disposal regulations of the Federal Water Pollution
Control Act. The US Coast Guard has issued these
regulations to implement Annex V of the International
Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships,
1973, commonly known as Annex V of the MARPOL
(Marine Pollution) Treaty 73/78. They apply to all US
boats wherever they operate (except waters under the
exclusive jurisdiction of a State) and foreign boats
operating in US waters out to and including the
Exclusive Economic Zone (200 miles). It is important
to know these regulations and adhere to them.
The regulations require US recreational boaters,
if your boat is 26 feet or more in length, to affix one
or more USCG Trash Dumping Restrictions placards
to your boat. The placard warns against the discharge
of plastic and other forms of garbage within the
navigable waters of the United States and specify
discharge restrictions beyond the territorial sea.
(The territorial sea generally ends three nautical miles
from the seashore.) In addition, the placard must
contain the warning that a person who violates these
requirements is liable to civil ($25,000) and criminal
(imprisonment) penalties. The placard also must note
that State and local regulations may further restrict
the disposal of garbage.
Operators shall display one or more placards in a
prominent location and in sufficient numbers so they
can be observed and read by crew and passengers.
These locations might include embarkation points,
food service areas, galleys, garbage handling spaces
and common deck spaces frequented by crew and
passengers. We recommend that these placards may
be purchased from local marinas, boat dealerships
and marine equipment suppliers. A special placard
is available for boats operating on the Great Lakes.
NOTICE
IMPORTANT: It is illegal to discharge
waste from your marine sanitary device
(toilet) into the water in most areas. It is
your responsibility to be aware of and
adhere to all local laws concerning waste
discharge. Consult with the Coast Guard,
local marina or your dealer for additional
information.
NOTICE
NOTE: Some states and localities have
legal limits on speed, noise and trailer
specifications. It is your responsibility to be
aware of these laws and limits and to
insure that your boat (and trailer) comply.
Consult with your local Marine Patrol or
local Coast Guard office.