Which type of waste must be managed by an MSD on board?

Sewage waste must be managed by a Marine Sanitation Device (MSD) on board. The primary purpose of an MSD is to treat or contain sewage to prevent contamination of the marine environment. The regulations surrounding MSDs are specific in that they ensure the waste is either processed to meet state and federal standards or contained in a holding tank until it can be disposed of at a proper facility.

Freshwater waste, hazardous material waste, and food waste do not specifically require management by an MSD. Freshwater waste is typically not treated as hazardous and does not fall under the same regulations. Hazardous material waste has its own set of management requirements but isn’t directly handled by an MSD. Food waste can be managed through other means, such as disposal in compliance with MARPOL Annex V regulations, but also does not involve an MSD. Therefore, the critical role of an MSD is focused specifically on the management of sewage waste, ensuring compliance with environmental protection laws while onboard vessels.