"The pump out boat fleet plays a vital role in protecting the inter-coastal waters of Ocean County. Our bays and rivers are both environmental and recreational treasures which the County of Ocean is commited to enhance and protect."

Joseph H. Vicari - Freeholder

Ocean County Pumpout Boat Program wins 2011 Governor's Environmental Excellence Award! Through the 2011 boating season, over 800,000 documented gallons of concentrated sewage have been removed from the holding tanks and portable toilets of 41,266 boats that would otherwise have been discharged directly into the Barnegat Bay National Estuary and the Little Egg Harbor Bay. ... Press Release / Program overview

In 2010, the NJ Clean Vessel Act Program won a national award...
The States Organization for Boating Access (SOBA) recently awarded the DEP Clean Vessel Act Program its Program Excellence Award in recognition of the work it is doing to protect and enhance water quality along the coast. Read more....

Since 1998, with the first pumpout boat in New Jersey, the “Circle of Life”, over 800,000 gallons of concentrated effluent waste have been removed from the holding tanks and portable toilets of boats that would otherwise have been directly discharged into the No-Discharge Zone intercoastal waters of Ocean County. This service is provided free of charge.

Ocean County is committed to working to preserve and improve the environmental health of its coastal waters and of the Barnegat Bay Estuary. It recognizes the direct connection between the environmental well-being of the intercoastal waterways and the quality of life and economic vitality of the region.

The pump-out boats supplement a large number of land-based units now in service in Ocean County waters. The boats have been highly successful in addressing the needs of non-marina-based boats, such as those moored in open waters or in lagoon developments.

The boats typically operate from Memorial Day through the end of September. The boats are usually in service Friday through Monday, from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm. | MORE

In a ceremony in May 2009, the County celebrated the 10-year anniversary of its highly successful pumpout boat program.

Freeholder Joe Vicari acknowledged the efforts of special guest, Paul "Pete" McLain, an early and tireless advocate of establishing the pump-out program, in addition to the pumpout boat captains and other dignitaries who have made the program possible.

The "Waste Watcher II" is owned by the County of Ocean and operated by the Tuckerton Seaport. It services the Little Egg Harbor Bay area from the bridge southwards to the Little Egg Harbor and Great Bay waters.

The "Bay Saver" was purchased by Ocean County in 2003 and is operated by the Township of Brick.

This pump out boat services the northern Barnegat Bay and tidal portions of the Metedeconk River.

Take a ride on the pumpout boat! (Click here)

The pump out boats typically operate Memorial Day weekend through the end of September. The boats are in service Friday through Monday from 10:00am to 6:00pm and can be contacted on the Marine VHF Radio Channel 9 by identifying the boat, its location and service requested. The boats are also in operation on holidays and special events. There is no charge for the service.

The pump-out boats usually develop a routine schedule and sometimes pump-outs can be reserved in advance.

• "Circle of Life" / "Water Warrior"
  Borough of Seaside Park : 732-793-3700.
• "Waste Watcher" / "Bay Sweeper"
  Tuckerton Seaport: 609-296-8868.
• "Bay Saver"
  Brick Township Public Works, 732-262-1085.
  Captains' cell phone: 732-779-5876

1. Remove the cap from the boat's deck waste fitting.
2. Insert pumpout hose nozzle into deck fitting.
3. Turn pump on. If there is a hose valve, open it to start suction.
4. When no waste is seen in "sight glass", close hose valve and remove nozzle from deck fitting.
5. Put nozzle (with open valve) in bucket of water for 15 seconds to rinse hose.
6. Rinse boat's tank with water and pump dry, if desired.
7. Close valve and put away hose. Turn off pump and replace deck fitting cap.

*From NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife CVA website

Of the seven pumpout boats currently operating in the State, the County provides the operational funds and administration for five vessels. The vessels were purchased by the County entirely with grants provided through the Clean Vessel Act Program with Federal and State funds, with the exception of the “Circle of Life,” which was purchased by Seaside Park with the assistance and support of the County. This funding ensures that the pump-out service is provided free of charge.

The County partners with other organizations, including the Ocean County Utilities Authority, which generously contributes half the operating costs annually. The County also participates on the NJ State Clean Vessel Act Advisory Committee and works with the NJ Department of Environmental Protection, the Barnegat Bay Estuary Program and other partners towards the goal of a healthy Bay.

Established in 1994, the New Jersey Clean Vessel Act (CVA) Program uses federal grants to fund 75 percent of the cost to install pump-out stations at marinas and public facilities along New Jersey's coastal waters. The remaining 25 percent is provided by the State of New Jersey through the "Shore to Please" license plate program. As a result of the CVA, there has been a tremendous increase in the number of pump-out stations available to area boaters over the last 10 years.

In June 2003, Barnegat Bay and Little Egg Harbor Bay were designated federal No-Discharge Zones. While the release of untreated sewage is prohibited within three miles of the coast, it is illegal to discharge even treated effluent in No-Discharge Zones. In the Ocean County area, the Manasquan River, Barnegat Bay and Little Egg Harbor Bay have been designated No Discharging Zones by the US EPA.

Pump-out facilities provide the most effective means for emptying holding tanks and are critical in No-Discharge Zones. About seventy-five marinas in Ocean County now maintain land-base pump-out stations for this purpose. A majority of these were installed as a result of grants from the NJ Clean Vessel Act Program.

• Clean Vessel Act
• Brick Township
• Seaside Park Borough
• Tuckerton Seaport
• Ocean County Utilities Authority
• More partner links