Use of holding tanks in UK and Western European waters will become, albeit slowly, the norm as environmental concerns result in a continuing clean up of our rivers and coasts. In the non-tidal Med they are already widely used although newcomers frequently ask about their need.
The usual reply, fairly obviously, relates to the crystal clear water in many anchorages and the wish for many of us to swim or, at least, to avoid spoiling other people's swimming. What is not usually mentioned is that, in France and Italy, toilets in marinas and harbours may well be inadequate for the number of visitors. They may well not be open for much of the time. They may not even exist at all. At Sanary sur Mer, where the water in the harbour is crystal clear, yachtsmen are enjoined, very reasonably, not to pump heads in the marina. But there is only one WC and that is as far from the visitors berths as it is possible to be. In such cases, holding tanks are a must.
In Mediterranean Spain, the situation is somewhat different. In many marinas we found adequate, often very good toilet (and shower) facilities. They were usually available for much, if not all, of the time. Water in the few anchorages tenable was, of course, beautifully clear.

Frank Singleton
Anhinga

By neil christie on Monday, February 16, 2004 - 10:51 am:

Thinking of installing a holding tank in my HR352. Has anyone who's done this as a tretro fit - or got a 352 with a h-tank - got any advice re location of the tank, or other helpful comments?

By chris lawrence on Wednesday, March 10, 2004 - 06:48 pm:

Our tall rig 352 has a HR fitted holding tank. The small tank is located in the locker immediately behind and above the loo.The tank is accessed by shutting off the outlet seacock.The tank is "T" eed in at that point so pumping of the heads forces waste to rise into the tank. There is an iscolating valve in this line and also a vent/ball valve from the top. The tank is emptied by sailing away from land and opening the lower seacock. Gravity does the rest. Limited capacity means careful planning is required.

By Bob Hadley on Thursday, March 11, 2004 - 10:16 am:

Our illustrious President retro fitted a tank into his 352 and wrote an excellent article in the HROA magasine accompanied by a superb series of photographs. I cannot remember which edition but David Hyde will know as I believe he was editor at the time. The advantage of his method was that you could pump out and rinseout without the gravity limitation.