How the Danish-Norwegian Bådmagasinet reports, all pleasure craft are affected by the ban, regardless of their flag. There are only exceptions for certain historic vessels or if a sewage treatment plant is available - which is unlikely to be the case on normal cruising yachts.
The ban on draining the faeces tank and the direct discharge of black water is justified by the fact that the Oslo Fjord is in poor ecological condition. This is due to high levels of phosphorus and nitrogen pollution - which, according to the magazine, is primarily caused by land-based wastewater from agriculture and not by the pleasure craft in the area.
Only 43 waste disposal stations in the entire district
Instead, the legislator refers to the 43 existing disposal stations for faeces. The responsible ministry has also called on the neighbouring municipalities to create additional facilities. Because as large as the number may seem at first glance, the large number of pleasure craft in the area - 55,000 in all - is likely to cause a certain amount of congestion, especially in the high season.
The large number, even for Norway as a boating nation, is due to the proximity of the capital Oslo and the surrounding metropolitan region. However, the municipalities now have to meet the demand on their own responsibility - and under enormous time pressure.
According to Bådmagasinet, the Norwegian industry association Norboat has nothing against stronger protection of the affected waters. On the contrary. The poor condition is not in question. However, they would have liked to have seen greater participation in advance. Now, even visiting skippers have no choice but to look carefully at the harbour guide if they want to avoid a fine.
Christian Tiedt
Editor Travel
