Being out on a yacht is a great way to either relax or enjoy some kind of leisure time away from land. When nature calls, as is inevitable, it is never appropriate to answer off of the side of the yacht.
Yachts or boats over a certain size have bathrooms onboard where passengers can relieve themselves as the urge arises. Bathrooms on boats are commonly referred to as “heads” and can either be a portable option or a permanently installed head.
Toilets are usually small and can have complex instructions on how to use them as well as how to operate the flushing system.
Which Toilet Is Best?
Space and privacy concerns are chief considerations aboard a yacht. Since room is usually limited, the size of the boat could be one of the deciding factors in choosing the type of toilet to place onboard.
One has to also consider that the marine toilet selected should be equipped with a mechanism capable of expelling the contents in a single flush. This is important because water is usually a scarce commodity on board.
Of paramount importance is also an odor-proof connection between the toilet and the holding tank in order to minimize unpleasant odors seeping into the rest of the yacht.
Holding tanks are necessary to house toilet waste on board the boat as it is prohibited to empty human waste into open water.
Portable on board toilets also allows for passengers to be able to relieve themselves to some degree of comfort.
Waste collected also has to be stored until it can be safely disposed of on land.
Alternatively, some boat owners opt for a type of marine toilet which does not use a holding tank. A composting head is a welcome and more pleasant substitute to the idea of carting around waste until arrival at a disposal receptacle on land.
Not having to install a holding tank maximizes the ever elusive space aboard the yacht. Other benefits include elimination of offensive smells and respite from having to find a waste disposal station.
Safe Waste Disposal
Yacht captains and crew alike must be aware of boating regulations governing the safe disposal of human waste while out on the water so as to observe strict environmental and antipollution laws.
It is strongly recommended that onboard waste receptacles called holding tanks are installed as part of certain types of marine toilets in order to collect waste accumulated on board.
Once the vessel reaches a dock or appropriate facility on land, the holding tank can be emptied at a suitable waste-disposal point.
In some countries, such as Australia, one cannot expel untreated human waste (raw sewage) within one nautical mile of an island, a reef or the mainland.
In general, disposing of human waste out in the open sea or in a harbor is against the law.
Toilet Paper Considerations
At home, we want to use the plushest and most comfortable toilet paper which means that the higher the ply, the softer and fancier the bathroom tissue.
Clogging is a major issue with marine toilets so the choice of toilet paper has to be such that a passenger heeds the calls of nature, it does not result in a crisis on board the yacht.
One-ply toilet paper would otherwise be ignored on the shelves in the shops, however, these are perfect for use in a yacht toilet.
They are thin enough that they will not clog the marine toilet, but also sufficient for personal hygiene purposes.
If the roll is also biodegradable then this is even more appropriate for use on board the yacht as it will take less time to break down.
The choice of bathroom tissue also has some bearing on how easy it is to empty the holding tank when it becomes time to do so.
Thicker toilet paper can also clog the pump mechanism and prevent effective waste disposal if the holding tank does not have a macerator.
Toilets Are A Viable Choice
A marine head is more of a practical element than a luxury item on board a yacht, especially if passengers will be spending more time than an hour on board ship.
Of course, the larger the boat, the less likely that space is a consideration and the greater the possibility of installing a more comfortable and even more luxurious structure.
Owners and operators should not only pay attention to the safety and enjoyment of their guests while on the yacht, but also some of the practicalities associated with everyday life.