u/whyrumalwaysgone et al,

Automod removed a slew of your comments and the original post. I'm not sure why. Review of the automod code is back on my to do list. In the meantime, I've been through this thread and approved a number of automated removals.

For the record the two most active moderators here on r/sailing have software development and operation in our backgrounds. We greatly prefer human action to automated action. Automation does help us a lot. Most flags content for human review instead of acting unilaterally. Please remember moderators are volunteers with lives, work, and interests that include going sailing. You, the members of the r/sailing community are our biggest asset. If you see something, say something. Hit the 'Report' button. We may not agree with you but we appreciate each and every report.

With respect to regulation, Federal law is dominant. See this search and particularly 33 U.S. Code § 1322. State laws can be more strict but may not provide relief from Federal requirements.

There is a lot of misunderstanding of 'No Discharge Zones.' Let's be clear. You may not discharge sewage within three miles of the US. That's not three miles from shore (much of the Chesapeake Bay for example). That's the international limit marked on your charts. Period. Dot. No Discharge Zones limit the use of sewage treatment for discharge such as Raritan Electroscan and older Lectra/San Type II MSDs.

State and local law may further restrict discharge although the legal authority is questionable. That would be an expensive fight to litigate.

Marina contracts often have limiting clauses about sewage. Those are on solid legal ground under contract law. Federal law says you can pee directly into the water. If your marina contract says you can't pee off the dock than you can't. Local law on indecent exposure is another matter.

sail fast and eat well, dave