THE COST OF DIRTY WATER
THE PRICE OF CLEAN WATER

The sea contributes to our lives in many ways. Transportation, trade, fishing and recreation are all linked to the sea and to the movement of vessels upon it. Those of us engaged in recreational boating have a very close and personal link with the sea and with the quality or its waters. Our livelihood depends upon it.

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The Cost of Dirty Water

Merchant vessels have to enter polluted waters; vacationers do not. Recent complaints from visitors show growing concern about the quality of our waters. We must act now before it is too late. If the perception that our waters are unfit for recreational use becomes widely accepted, it could take years to reverse the impact on tourism.

The Price of Clean Water

The program described her addresses three sources of pollution; sewage, garbage and oil. It is felt that these present the most immediate threat.
This program is being implement by the members by the members of the Marine Association of the British Virgin Islands. We believe that compliance will be voluntary because people will be protecting the waters in which they swim.
The following provisions will be communicated by means of brochures distributed to visitors, by means of placards displayed in boats and during charter boat briefing sessions. We believe that the benefits of this program easily justify its modest price.

Sewage

No untreated sewage should be discharged in any harbor nor anywhere within 1,000 yards from the shoreline. Acceptable means of compliance include the following :

1. The use of a marine sanitation device designed to prevent the overboard discharge of sewage. Such as holding tanks may be emptied outside the restricted areas or pumped into a sewage treatment facility ashore. These devices are called type III MSDs by the USCG.

2. A marine sanitation device that produces an effluent having a fecal coliform bacterial count not greater than 1,000 per 100 milliliters and no visible floating solids. These devices are called type I MSDs by USCG.

A placard stating the above provision shall be placed in a conspicuous place in each toilet space on every vessel.

Consideration will be given to allowing time for older vessels to comply with these provisions.

Garbage

No garbage of any nature may be discharged into the waters of the British Virgin Islands. Garbage must be deposited ashore in receptacles provided for this purpose. A placard stating the above provision shall be placed in a conspicuous place in each vessel. A chart showing the location of garbage receptacles shall be displayed on each vessel.

Oil

No oil or oily waste shall be discharged into the waters of the British Virgin Islands. No person may intentionally drain oil or oily waste from any source into the bilge of any vessel. A placard stating the above provision shall be placed in a conspicuous place in each vessel. Compliance with these simple provisions will virtually eliminate pollution of our waters from marine sources. It is hoped that steps will be taken to reduce pollution from shore side sources.

Adopted by the Marine Association of the British Virgin Islands on 3 March 1999.