T&T: Potti-Patrol

[Thomas L Rogers]

I live in MI and boat in the Great Lakes to include the North Channel and
Canadian waters which are NDZs (no discharge zones).  We enjoy for the most
part ample working pump out facilities at state, municipal and to a lesser
degree private marinas so I have no real world experience in tidal areas.
Compliance in our cruising areas is not a gray area and there is no
alternative to pump out unless you consider composting, incineration or the
bucket method as mentioned.

For all that have the luxury of two heads how about replacing one with a
composting head that could be used as a axillary in the case the holding
tank is filling fast, the head has a mechanical problem or as pointed out no
functioning facility is available. A run off the coast or dispersing
overboard illegally of course is an option but as Marion points out not as
"green" or cost effective.  Perhaps when you have to replace a head that has
problems or as is often discussed hoses need replacement to deal with odors,
replacement with a composting unit may have it's advantages.  It could be
removed easily and used in an  RV, cabin or in your home in the event of
water disruptions.

 The PO left us with two choices as he prepared our small catamaran for the
Bahamian waters by adding extra fresh water storage he sacrificed the black
water holding tank... yep,  the stuff went overboard if the head was used
wherever it was used!  This was a definite violation  here in MI so we
looked at the  options and decided to  try the composting method. We use the
marina facilities often but do not hesitate to use the composting head
while aboard.

IMHO this is environmentally responsible step for me and may apply to your
situations.  The cost is a bit higher than reinstalling the tank and
plumbing.  The cost was about $850 but I do not have  mechanical problems,
VERY low odor and no additional fresh water consumption.  Very simple
installation and small power requirement IF natural venting is not
adequate.  Conforms to USCG MSD Type III device per the manufacturer.  Other
porta potty systems work but they mix the solid and liquid waste which is
the catalyst for that horrible odor which eventually leaches into the
permanently installed systems.  The solids are from my experience so far
amazingly well decomposed in the peat moss by our bacteria.  Disposal has
only been needed one time this season and double bagged then disposed of in
a dumpster.  I am not ready to put it on the garden but shrubs or flowers
may even like this stuff (per the mfg)  The fish entrails and garbage that
had been bagged in the dumpster were far more malodorous!  When I pass many
large marinas I wonder if in reality this method is a reasonable alternative
given the thousands of boats and crowded parking lots with bags of compost
waiting for delivery to wherever.  It may work if designated dumpsters were
available.  It works for us so far and I feel less frustration dealing with
mechanical failures and head odors,  I doubt this will ever be a popular
alternative.

Trade-offs; Small liquid containers but easily disposed of and we have a
spare.  Someone, not my admiral, has to empty the solid waste container but
with some practice it is not as unpleasant as one might imagine.  We agreed
to this before converting to composting as I don't like to darn socks or
change coffee filters... great trade don't ya think.

No connection to the vendor but we purchased this unit because of
simplicity, price point, small footprint and ease of installation... there
are several others on the market.  I'm not expecting to save the planet with
this suggestion and it may not be your idea of the principal head however a
reasonable option for a second/auxillary if you have the space.

http://mmair.com/marine_division/composting_toilet/nature_s_head

Tom R
MotorCat30 (on the hard)
Oscoda, MI