--- title: Are Composting Toilets Considered a Marine Sanitation Device (MSD) description: Yes. If you're outfitting a sailboat or liveaboard vessel, a compost toilet can not only save you time, but money as well. --- [Skip to content](https://learn.ogotoilet.com/is-it-coast-guard-approved#main-content) English Show submenu for translations [Customer portal](https://21793596.hs-sites.com/tickets-view?hsLang=en) ![OGO LOGO 2024.png\]](https://learn.ogotoilet.com/hs-fs/hubfs/All%20Graphics/GeneralGraphics/LogoFiles/OGO%20LOGO%202024.png?height=40&name=OGO%20LOGO%202024.png) Open main navigation Close main navigation - English Show submenu for translations - [Customer portal](https://21793596.hs-sites.com/tickets-view) - Back to ogotoilet.com Back to ogotoilet.com Answers, Fixes, Tips. Everything is here for you. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Everything About Compost Toilets](https://learn.ogotoilet.com/?hsLang=en) 2. [08. All the Answers](https://learn.ogotoilet.com/08-all-the-answers?hsLang=en) 3. [Manufacturing Compliance & Certifications](https://learn.ogotoilet.com/08-all-the-answers?hsLang=en#manufacturing-compliance-certifications) # Are Composting Toilets Considered a Marine Sanitation Device (MSD) ## Yes. If you're outfitting a sailboat or liveaboard vessel, a compost toilet can not only save you time, but money as well. #### A Quick Breakdown: What Is an MSD **MSD** stands for **Marine Sanitation Device**. If your vessel has a toilet, federal law requires it to be an MSD of an approved type. There are three MSD types: - **Type I**: Treats waste using maceration and chemicals, then discharges it. - **Type II**: Uses biological or aerobic treatment, then discharges a cleaner effluent. - **Type III**: **Holds all waste onboard**—no discharge. This includes holding tanks, incinerators, and **composting toilets**. A composting toilet falls squarely into the Type III category. From the EPA’s own site: > “Type III devices that store sewage and flushwater at ambient air pressure and temperature are not subject to formal certification by the U.S. Coast Guard... The device must be designed to prevent overboard discharge.”  #### Do Composting Toilets Count as a Coast Guard-Approved MSD Yes—**composting toilets meet the definition of a Type III MSD** under U.S. Coast Guard and EPA guidelines. But there’s a catch: most are **not formally certified** by the Coast Guard. That’s because **Type III MSDs don’t require certification** if they meet one basic condition: > The system must be designed to prevent overboard discharge of any sewage or sewage-derived waste. Composting toilets operate at ambient temperature and pressure and **retain both solid and liquid waste onboard**. As long as the system prevents discharge into the water, it is considered compliant. Manufacturers typically **self-certify** that their product meets these requirements under 33 CFR 159.12 and 159.53. So while you may not see a Coast Guard “approval” sticker, **your composting toilet is still fully legal** under marine sanitation laws. #### What Happens at Marinas Let’s talk real-world use. Most marinas are familiar with pump-out stations and holding tanks. Composting toilets? Less so—but they’re catching on. Here’s what you should expect: - **Liquid waste**: Needs to be emptied into a marina restroom or appropriate facility. Never discharge into the water. - **Solids**: The compost chamber—when fully broken down—can often be disposed of with regular trash. Check the marina’s local waste policy to confirm. - **No pump-out required**: That’s one of the perks. No hoses, no backups, no marina service fees. **Pro tip**: Be ready to explain your system to dock staff or curious neighbors. Clean setup and confident answers go a long way. ![Amzon Store Shopabble Image-png](https://learn.ogotoilet.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Amzon%20Store%20Shopabble%20Image-png.png?width=688&height=344&name=Amzon%20Store%20Shopabble%20Image-png.png)   - [01. Begin Here](https://learn.ogotoilet.com/01-begin-here?hsLang=en#main-content) - [What is a Compost Toilet](https://learn.ogotoilet.com/01-begin-here?hsLang=en#what-is-a-compost-toilet) - [Get Started](https://learn.ogotoilet.com/01-begin-here?hsLang=en#get-started) - [Materials & Basics](https://learn.ogotoilet.com/01-begin-here?hsLang=en#materials-basics) - [02. How It All Works](https://learn.ogotoilet.com/02-how-it-all-works?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Core Functions | OGO™ ORIGIN Compost Toilet System](https://learn.ogotoilet.com/02-how-it-all-works?hsLang=en#core-functions-ogo-origin-compost-toilet-system) - [Tech & Electrical | OGO™ ORIGIN Compost Toilet System](https://learn.ogotoilet.com/02-how-it-all-works?hsLang=en#tech-electrical-ogo-origin-compost-toilet-system) - [03. Mount. Wire. Vent.](https://learn.ogotoilet.com/03-mount-wire-vent?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Ventilation](https://learn.ogotoilet.com/03-mount-wire-vent?hsLang=en#ventilation) - [Mounting & Placement](https://learn.ogotoilet.com/03-mount-wire-vent?hsLang=en#mounting-placement) - [Drainage & Plumbing](https://learn.ogotoilet.com/03-mount-wire-vent?hsLang=en#drainage-plumbing) - [Power & Connections](https://learn.ogotoilet.com/03-mount-wire-vent?hsLang=en#power-connections) - [04. Use it Right](https://learn.ogotoilet.com/04-use-it-right?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Filters](https://learn.ogotoilet.com/04-use-it-right?hsLang=en#filters) - [Wet Baths](https://learn.ogotoilet.com/04-use-it-right?hsLang=en#wet-baths) - [Compost Mediums](https://learn.ogotoilet.com/04-use-it-right?hsLang=en#compost-mediums) - [Best Practices](https://learn.ogotoilet.com/04-use-it-right?hsLang=en#best-practices) - [Upgrades & Add-Ons](https://learn.ogotoilet.com/04-use-it-right?hsLang=en#upgrades-add-ons) - [05. Fix + Maintain](https://learn.ogotoilet.com/05-fix-maintain?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Vent Fan - OGO™ ORIGIN Compost Toilet System](https://learn.ogotoilet.com/05-fix-maintain?hsLang=en#vent-fan-ogo-origin-compost-toilet-system) - [Power Button & Jack - OGO™ ORIGIN Compost Toilet System](https://learn.ogotoilet.com/05-fix-maintain?hsLang=en#power-button-jack-ogo-origin-compost-toilet-system) - [Motor - OGO™ ORIGIN Compost Toilet System](https://learn.ogotoilet.com/05-fix-maintain?hsLang=en#motor-ogo-origin-compost-toilet-system) - [Timer - OGO™ ORIGIN Compost Toilet System](https://learn.ogotoilet.com/05-fix-maintain?hsLang=en#timer-ogo-origin-compost-toilet-system) - [Sensor - OGO™ ORIGIN Compost Toilet System](https://learn.ogotoilet.com/05-fix-maintain?hsLang=en#sensor-ogo-origin-compost-toilet-system) - [Exterior Components - OGO™ ORIGIN Compost Toilet System](https://learn.ogotoilet.com/05-fix-maintain?hsLang=en#exterior-components-ogo-origin-compost-toilet-system) - [Wiring - OGO™ ORIGIN Compost Toilet System](https://learn.ogotoilet.com/05-fix-maintain?hsLang=en#wiring-ogo-origin-compost-toilet-system) - [Interior Components - OGO™ ORIGIN Compost Toilet System](https://learn.ogotoilet.com/05-fix-maintain?hsLang=en#interior-components-ogo-origin-compost-toilet-system) - [Diagnostics & Repair - OGO™ ORIGIN Compost Toilet System](https://learn.ogotoilet.com/05-fix-maintain?hsLang=en#diagnostics-repair-ogo-origin-compost-toilet-system) - [06. Break it Down](https://learn.ogotoilet.com/06-break-it-down?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Solid Waste](https://learn.ogotoilet.com/06-break-it-down?hsLang=en#solid-waste) - [Urine Waste](https://learn.ogotoilet.com/06-break-it-down?hsLang=en#urine-waste) - [07. Beyond the Grid](https://learn.ogotoilet.com/07-beyond-the-grid?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Waste Water](https://learn.ogotoilet.com/07-beyond-the-grid?hsLang=en#waste-water) - [Homestead](https://learn.ogotoilet.com/07-beyond-the-grid?hsLang=en#homestead) - [08. All the Answers](https://learn.ogotoilet.com/08-all-the-answers?hsLang=en#main-content) - [FAQ for OGO™ ORIGIN Compost Toilet System](https://learn.ogotoilet.com/08-all-the-answers?hsLang=en#faq-for-ogo-origin-compost-toilet-system) - [FAQ for NOMAD by OGO™ Compost Toilet System](https://learn.ogotoilet.com/08-all-the-answers?hsLang=en#faq-for-nomad-by-ogo-compost-toilet-system) - [Manufacturing Compliance & Certifications](https://learn.ogotoilet.com/08-all-the-answers?hsLang=en#manufacturing-compliance-certifications) - [Dimensions & Shipping](https://learn.ogotoilet.com/08-all-the-answers?hsLang=en#dimensions-shipping) - [Air BnB & Rentals](https://learn.ogotoilet.com/08-all-the-answers?hsLang=en#air-bnb-rentals) - [09. See it. Learn it.](https://learn.ogotoilet.com/09-see-it-learn-it?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Van Life](https://learn.ogotoilet.com/09-see-it-learn-it?hsLang=en#van-life) - [10. Factory Life](https://learn.ogotoilet.com/10-factory-life?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Manufacturing Material](https://learn.ogotoilet.com/10-factory-life?hsLang=en#manufacturing-material) [![Chill listening crop-3](https://learn.ogotoilet.com/hs-fs/hubfs/OGO%20LOGO%202024.png?width=65&height=24&name=OGO%20LOGO%202024.png "Chill listening crop-3")](https://learn.ogotoilet.com/?hsLang=en) We are here to help. Reach out. Copyright © 2026, OGO™ LTD