Port waste management
Waste disposal
The Harbour Authority provides a range of facilities for the disposal of waste which are readily accessible to mooring holders and visiting yachts at the Harbour Master’s Office, Warsash. Free facilities include disposal points for general mixed garbage, recyclable waste, used oil, waste oil filters, dead lead-acid batteries, non-EU food waste and a sewage pump-out for vessels with holding tanks (currently out of order – under review). There is also sewage pump out at Swanwick Marina. All boatyards, marinas and sailing clubs also provide a range of waste disposal facilities for their customers and members.
The law
The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) is the main international convention covering prevention of pollution of the marine environment by ships from operational or accidental causes, and prohibits the discharge of all garbage into the sea, except under specific circumstances.
The implementation of the EC Directive on Port Reception Facilities (2000/59/EC) in the UK is achieved through the Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Port Waste Reception Facilities) Regulations (2003/1809) as amended. This requires shore side operators to provide suitable facilities for vessels to dispose of waste, and also to produce a Port Waste Management Plan.
Port Waste Management Plan
Those who operate shore side facilities have a legal obligation to provide facilities to enable vessels to land waste for disposal to avoid dumping of waste at sea, and must produce and submit a Port Waste Management Plan (PWMP) to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
The River Hamble Harbour Authority prepares this plan for the Hamble River. It is developed in co-operation with the Hamble’s marinas, boat yards and clubs and details how all these sites organise and provide port waste reception facilities. It must be reviewed every three years (or within 9 months of any significant changes to the harbour operations relating to waste reception) to ensure that waste facilities are adequate for the purposes intended, and resubmitted to the MCA for approval.
The Hamble PWMP has been developed specifically to the needs of Hamble Harbour and its users, and should be considered as a minimum level of compliance under the regulations from which improvements can always be made. A Master copy is held at the Harbour Master’s Office. Read the Port Waste Management Plan.
Any river user who has comments on the provision or use of waste facilities provided for vessels, or who is unsure of the responsibilities of either themselves or others regarding waste, should contact the Harbour Master’s Office.
Further information
General information on waste and recycling can be found on the Hampshire Waste and Recycling website and the Royal Yachting Association provides information on and links to relevant sites regarding sewage and waste management whilst boating.