HELCOM RECOMMENDATION 19/9

Adopted 26 March 1998 having regard to Article 13, Paragraph b) of the Helsinki Convention

INSTALLATION OF GARBAGE RETENTION APPLIANCES AND TOILET RETENTION SYSTEMS AND STANDARD CONNECTIONS FOR SEWAGE ON BOARD FISHING VESSELS, WORKING VESSELS AND PLEASURE CRAFT

THE COMMISSION,

RECALLING  Article 9 of the 1992 Helsinki Convention concerning special measures in order to abate harmful effects on the marine environment of the Baltic Sea Area caused by pleasure craft activities,

RECALLING ALSO  the Baltic Strategy for Port Reception Facilities for Ship-generated Wastes and Associated Issues as the mean to substantially decrease operational discharges and to eliminate illegal disposal of ship-generated wastes into the sea and thus to prevent pollution of the Baltic Sea Area,

RECALLING FURTHER that, in accordance with HELCOM Recommendation 17/11 on reception facilities, the marinas, fuelling stations, fishing harbours, etc. for pleasure craft and small vessels shall be equipped with installations for simple and convenient reception of sewage and other wastes as a normal service,

RECOGNIZING  that an increasing number of pleasure craft operate in the Baltic Sea Area,

TAKING INTO ACCOUNT  Paragraphs B and C of Regulation 7 bis of Annex IV of the 1974 Helsinki Convention concerning guidelines for standard connection for waste water and for toilet retention systems,

RECOMMENDS  that the Governments of the Contracting Parties shall ensure that all craft are equipped with garbage retention appliances suitable for collecting and, wherever possible, separating garbage on board,

RECOMMENDS ALSO  that the Governments of the Contracting Parties shall ensure that at the date of entry into force of Regulation 7 bis of Annex IV all small ports and marinas are provided with adequate facilities for the reception of garbage from those vessels which use such ports and marinas,

RECOMMENDS FURTHER  that the Governments of the Contracting Parties shall ensure that at the date of entry into force of Regulation 7 bis of Annex IV of the 1974 Helsinki Convention*) the toilet retention systems and connections for waste water installed on craft are designed according to International Standard ISO 8099**). The toilet retention systems shall be designed so that harmful chemicals need not to be used,

REQUESTS  the Governments of the Contracting Parties to report on the implementation of this Recommendation in accordance with the reporting format on the implementation of the Baltic Strategy for Port Reception Facilities for Ship-generated Wastes and Associated Issues.

*)       future Regulation 6 of Annex IV of the 1992 Helsinki Convention

**)     The Standard is under revision.