A new law (Real Decreto 1434/99) relating to compulsory holding tanks, that was published in the Official State Bulletin (BOE 113) on the 12th May this year, will come into force in March 2004.
This law, that covers all Spanish flagged vessels plus any vessels used commercially (including charter) specifies that it will be illegal to have a toilet on board any vessel that does not feed to a holding tank.
This law also specifies the necessary volume of the holding tank calculated on the number of passengers that the vessel is permitted to carry.
At the present time there is no reference to private, non-Spanish vessels but legislation to cover all vessels in Spanish waters is expected to follow.
There is also no provision for legislation relating to pump-out systems in marinas but again this aspect is expected to be added before the end of 2004.
Fines for non-compliance can be up to 6,000 Euros.
The new law (Real Decreto 1434/99) which comes into force in March 2004 covers various aspects of recreational boating.
The law changes old ‘navegation categories’ and substitutes 7 ‘zones of navigation’ from ‘unlimitted’ to ‘up to 2 miles from shore’.
The law also establishes norms for the ‘CE’ marking.
It also establishes a new level of safety equipment introducing for the first time the obligatory carrying of a life raft for yachts sailing more than 12 miles from shore.
Under the section relating to the pumping of ‘dirty water’ it will be illegal to pump in marinas and bays etc and any discharge must be done at least 4 miles from shore.