[rbyham]

I have become aware of someone in my marina who recently lost an immediate family member. The family would like to spread the deceased's ashes in the harbor. Unfortunately the deceased's boat is currently inoperative so they are looking for help. I have no experience in this area but would be willing to assist with my boat. For those who may have experience is there anything I should be aware of in terms of liabilites, regulations, etc.? Thanks.

 

[Faster]

Make sure you're facing downwind!

 

[miatapaul]

As long as you are not taking any form of money or gifts for doing so I don't there should be any liability issues. I am not sure though as far as any laws as to putting the ashes into a harbor, though I would not really worry about that as it should be quite sanitary. Personally if it were me, I would want to be spread from a sailboat while sailing in a nice cruising location, rather than a harbor. In fact I should put that into writing now that I think about it.

 

[RTB]

Just go quietly and do it. We were in South Beach -

Ralph

 

[weinie]

Make sure you're facing downwind!

Donny was a good bowler, and a good man. He was one of us. He was a man who loved the outdoors... and bowling, and as a surfer he explored the beaches of Southern California, from La Jolla to Leo Carrillo and... up to... Pismo. He died, like so many young men of his generation, he died before his time. In your wisdom, Lord, you took him, as you took so many bright flowering young men at Khe Sanh, at Langdok, at Hill 364. These young men gave their lives. And so would Donny. Donny, who loved bowling. And so, Theodore Donald Karabotsos, in accordance with what we think your dying wishes might well have been, we commit your final mortal remains to the bosom of the Pacific Ocean, which you loved so well. Good night, sweet prince.

 

[rbyham]

Nice words weinie...

 

[capta]

I ran a schooner and we would do this several times a year. It was always messy. Even on the lee side of the boat there were little eddies of breeze that would swirl the ashes up, up and back aboard or on the one dumping them. Laying on the deck and holding the urn close to the water helped, but the ashes would invariably coat the hull.
Therefore, we ALWAYS did it on the side that was NOT against the dock when disembarking the passengers, so they couldn't see their loved ones coating the topsides.
As this will probably be a small crowd and you might be able to suggest they do it from the bow??? But the ashes may still swirl around and get all over the one dumping the ashes. It's a tricky job.

 

[ajoliver]

I want mine to go in international waters.

 

[CLucas]

EPA regulations for the disposal of cremated remains requires that it take place a minimum of 3 nautical miles from land.

Definitely be sure to scatter from the leeward side of the boat and I would recommend holding the urn or container over the leeward aft corner while moving slowly so you don't end up with a ashes stuck to your topsides.

Here's the EPA page outlining the particulars:
Water | Region 2 | US EPA

 

[capta]

EPA regulations for the disposal of cremated remains requires that it take place a minimum of 3 nautical miles from land.
Here's the EPA page outlining the particulars:
Water | Region 2 | US EPA

Well, ain't that a kick in the ass? There are some 300 people who are turning over in their watery grave in Charleston Harbor at this news. Who'd a thunk?
It never occurred to me (or my predecessors, it seems) that these ASHES were something the EPA regulated. How absolutely INSANE; we're talking about only a few cups of ashes here; maybe a whole pound or so, over a year!
Anyway, I hope the statute of limitations on this heinous crime has expired; I don't want to be looking over my shoulder for the rest of my life.

 

[RichH]

To prevent the swirling, blowing etc. of the dust from the ashes, consider to seek out someone who makes his/her own gunpowder (black powder) who will 'corn' the ashes.
The heavier the 'corned' particles, the better.

 

[travlin-easy]

Not only are their EPA regs for disposal of remains, but in some states, a discharge permit is required, which of course, usually involves some sort of fee. Best thing is to just dump em and don't publicize it. Who's gonna know?

Good luck,

Gary

 

[Minnewaska]

Better to ask for forgiveness than permission in this case. I would place the ashes in a light paper container and place that in the water. It will disburse as the paper breaks apart. Follow it with a wreath or even place the container within the wreath.

If there are environmental crazies that oppose the burial of a loved one with a single piece of paper, I'm comfortable with a well thought out response. KMA

 

[capt jgwinks]

Completely illegal on the Great Lakes where I'm at. A few years ago I was running a university research vessel and the donor responsible for getting us the boat passed away. Family wanted us to scatter his ashes and of course we couldn't refuse. The plan was to log it as VIP cruise and make no mention of what we were really doing. Fortunately the weather was bad the day of the event so we didn't go out.

 

[titustiger27]

Not only are their EPA regs for disposal of remains, but in some states, a discharge permit is required, which of course, usually involves some sort of fee. Best thing is to just dump em and don't publicize it. Who's gonna know?

Good luck,

Gary

and pretend like you never looked at this thread... practice

ask for forgiveness
not permission

edit: oops, I see a Minnewaska mentioned this already

 

[Donna_F]

Perhaps just throw over a symbolic amount? When my father died we placed some on his property (had to get a permit from the state but it was free), some at his vacation house, some went to Bermuda. At his memorial several relatives tossed spoonfuls into the pond.

And still there is a lot left so I know how much may be involved if you dump the entire amount over the side of a boat.

 

[Uricanejack]

Done this quite often

Set this up ahead of time.
A length of 6 in white PVC sewer pipe from home depot. Zap strapped to the rail. straight down to just above the water will take care of any blow back.

 

[Minnewaska]

I don't want my ashes spread. I want to be wrapped in a tarp, weighted and slid overboard, right at the edge of the continental shelf, in one piece. Nice view I figure.

 

[capt jgwinks]

I like what they did with the remains of Gene and Majel Roddenberry and James Doohan (from the original Star Trek for all you non-geeks). Shot them into space on a rocket. I hope they never try to regulate that. The cost is enough.

 

[RTB]

Spend a few bucks and let the professionals help you out.

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