Talking About the Business of the Head

As we sail into summer we’re reminded of the “shitty” (can we say that?) part of sailing, aka the business of the head. There are various toilet systems aboard boats, from fully flushing to hand-pumping to bucket dumping — it’s this last one we want to address. As we all know, dumping our waste overboard is not OK. And unfortunately, not all boats come fully equipped to take care of this problem. But if you’re in Southern California, you may find yourself with a solution.

California State Parks and the California Coastal Commission are looking for three Southern California recreational boat owners who are interested in receiving a FREE marine composting toilet (MCT) in exchange for participating in a study. Sounds like you? Read on.

In exchange for your firsthand experience and knowledge of installing an MCT (or potentially converting from a previous system), and use of the MCT, you will keep the system for free!

Here’s a link to the survey. Fill it in for your chance to be selected.

“Marine composting toilets are self-contained sewage systems that are low-maintenance and present zero opportunities for accidental discharges. To learn more about MCTs, check out this video and see why many boaters are considering them!”

While we’re on the business of the head, did you know you can also get a free deck adapter and Y-valve kits as part of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy’s Clean Vessel Act Program? Here’s what they say about it:

“Y-valve Kits: Includes the supplies needed to direct boat holding tank waste to a pumpout station rather than overboard. The kit includes instructions and an information guide, opened and closed stickers, non-releasable zip-ties, dye tabs for leak detection and an enzymatic digester.

“Deck Adapter Kits: A deck adapter is a connector designed to screw into a boat’s deck waste fitting. To use the adapter, boaters remove the deck waste fitting from their boat’s holding tank and screw in the deck adapter. Once in place, boaters remove the nozzle head from the pumpout unit, clamp the hose onto the adapter, and enjoy a hands-free pumpout experience. Deck adapters are available in 1.25-inch and 1.5-inch diameters and include instructions and disposable gloves.”

Why does it matter? One toilet flush of untreated sewage from a boat can cause the same environmental impact as 10,000 flushes from a home toilet. Pathogens, waterborne diseases, fish mortality and habitat degradation are all potential consequences of improper sewage disposal.

Ordering is free and easy. Visit www.deltaconservancy.ca.gov/cvap and click the order link to receive the kits.

And with that, sailors, we call this “business of the head” closed for now.