All Marine Sanitation Devices (whether Type I, II, or III) must be US Coast Guard (USCG) certified for inspected or uninspected vessels with galley(s) and toilet facilities. These devices (MSDs) must comply with the 33 Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) Part 159 regulations “to prevent discharge of untreated sewage from vessels into the waters of the United States,” says the US Coast Guard. This certification increasingly means the dilution of sewage is not an acceptable means for removing pollution; however Type II systems with biological treatment process (such as the MarineFAST units manufactured by Scienco/FAST, www.sciencofast.com) are ideal. Type II Marine Sanitation Devices are flow through discharge devices that produce effluent having a fecal coliform bacteria count not greater than 200 per 100 milliliters and suspended solids not greater than 150 milligrams per liter.
MarineFAST® sanitation devices (MSDs) are installed on some of the ‘greenest’ boats in the world to provide total sewage treatment, pretreatment, and (in some cases) water reuse opportunities. The MarineFAST units provide outstanding effluent quality and starts up much faster than conventional suspended growth processes – usually in half the time!
MarineFAST units are capable of handling any combination of blackwater, graywater, ground food waste, freshwater, seawater, vacuum toilets and conventional toilets. MarineFAST processes raw, unscreened sewage as it is produced. The MarineFAST process supports a more complex microbial culture than conventional suspended growth systems. Higher ordered microorganisms predate upon simpler microorganisms and reduce the mass rate of sludge accumulation by one-third or more. No need for macerators, grinders, pretreatment or flow equalization tanks.
Usually MarineFAST handles upset conditions and surges with no operator intervention required. Clogging in everyday operation is virtually impossible; there are no moving parts in contact with sewage, no filters, membranes or fine pore aerators to blind or plug. The smallest MarineFAST units are sized to handle harbor tugs and individual float homes. The biggest systems have handled 195,000+ gpd for full crew vessels.
Over a 33 year span and with standard production units, MarineFAST effluent meets any known marine testing standards and worldwide regulations, such as, 33CFR159, MEPC.159(55), MARPOL Annex IV (2010) – which provides guidance for the Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) No. 1-09, US EPA and other effluent standards as may be required. All claims for the FAST process and for FAST sewage treatment systems are supported by 45,000 installations worldwide and over 40 years of research, development and real world operating experience.
After 30 years of continuous service, many MarineFAST units remain in everyday operation. When requirements change, these units can be and are updated at minimal cost.
From the Systems Engineering Division (CG-ENG-3) of USCG: “In addition to the MSD requirements in 33 CFR Part 159, inspected vessels must also comply with the marine engineering regulations in 46 CFR Subchapter F and the marine electrical regulations in 46 CFR Subchapter J.” For more information see http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/cg5213/msd.asp.