PUMP OUT Free ?

[thorJ30]

Hello
I was under the impression that any pump out station has to be free of charge.
(Illinois, Man made Lake, Corps of Engineers )

Our Marina is not quite ready and doesnt have a pump out staion in place YET. So I sail to the other end and find on the pump out station a remark :

Patrons of this MArina are free, all others have to purchase a minimum of 15 dlr in the Marina Shop before pumping.
Hmmmm. I ask the owner, and he insists. Noteable is the fact that he really screwed me 4 weeks ago and charged me over 600 dlr to splash my J 30 ( Original verbal offer was 230.00 )

Anyhow I turned around and told him I would rather drink the ****, before I would give him any more money.

Now. I was under the impression that all pump out stations HAVE to take the **** for free. Am I right or wrong.


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Most Marinas have received a grant for the installation of the pump out stations, on the lake. Problem is that the others are soooo shallow that I cannot reach them. Again ours will be done in 3-4 weeks. ( also with a grant ) but I hate to wait that long.
I do NOT know if that particular Marina has received a grant, most likely but not sure. And I dont really know whom to ask, either

Thanks Thorsten

[Tom3]

I would try asking the army corps of engineers since they might administer the grants.

You could also ask your marina how they paid for the pumpout station that is going in. If they got a grant they will know who to call.

I don''t remember which agency gives the grants but they are from the same source.

[PaulBl]

Marina pump outs are state controlled. Here in VA. IF they got a subsidy to build the pump out (it can be up to 75% of the cost) then max fee is $5 and must be public. If they built with no subsidy they can charge anything they like to any one or exclude only those that they favor.

Even the snooty marinas around will give you a pump out if you buy some amount or pay a very modest fee.

[hamiam]

Marinas really piss me off. They see my 35'' diesel powered sailboat pull up and, while I do buy gas from them, the pump out is always "broken." Yet when some mega-yacht pulls up, it magically works again. Sorry about the rant.