
Boat toilets, commonly known as 'heads', are an essential part of any boat trip. But how do they work? And where does the waste go? There are various different types of boat toilet, and they all work differently. Some boats use water from the sea, while others use water from a tank. This water is pumped into the bowl before and after use to create a 'wet' toilet bowl setting. The waste is then held in a large tank and has to be emptied at a special marine pump-out facility. The waste is then treated and goes through a variety of steps and systems for it to be reused.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common name | Heads |
| Types | Various |
| Waste storage | Large tank |
| Waste disposal | Special marine pump-out facility |
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What You'll Learn
- The waste is held on board in a very large tank and has to be emptied out at a special marine pump out facility
- There are various different types of boat toilet, all of which will work differently
- The water is pumped into the bowl prior to use and immediately after use to create a wet toilet bowl setting
- On some boats, water is pumped in from the sea, meaning it is in unlimited supply
- Most marinas have toilets, showers and other sanitary facilities

The waste is held on board in a very large tank and has to be emptied out at a special marine pump out facility
The waste is held on board in a very large tank and has to be emptied out at a special marine pump-out facility. This is usually a free service, although it can cost a few dollars. The waste is then treated and goes through a variety of steps and systems for it to be reused.
Pump-out toilets are most like the toilets you would use in your home. However, they abandon portability as they consist of a full water and piping system. The pumping of water into the marine toilet bowl is known as "wet" pumping. Essentially, water is pumped into the boat from the sea through a hull fitting called a seacock. The water is pumped into the bowl prior to use and immediately after use to create a "wet" toilet bowl setting that we are accustomed to in traditional land-based toilets.
Most marinas have toilets, showers and other sanitary facilities. When moored ashore, it is recommended to use these facilities.
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There are various different types of boat toilet, all of which will work differently
Another type of boat toilet uses water from a tank, which needs to be monitored. This type of toilet is known as a 'pump out' toilet and is most like the toilets used in homes. These toilets consist of a full water and piping system, with the waste held in a large tank that needs to be emptied at a special marine pump-out facility. Once the waste has been removed from the boat, it goes through a variety of steps and processes to allow the water to be reused.
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$135.27 $150.35

The water is pumped into the bowl prior to use and immediately after use to create a wet toilet bowl setting
There are various different types of boat toilet, all of which work differently. One type of boat toilet uses a "wet" pumping system, where water is pumped into the marine toilet bowl from the sea through a hull fitting called a seacock. The water is pumped into the bowl prior to use and immediately after use to create a "wet" toilet bowl setting. The waste is held on board in a very large tank and has to be emptied out at a special marine pump-out facility. The waste is then treated and goes through a variety of steps and systems for it to be reused.
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On some boats, water is pumped in from the sea, meaning it is in unlimited supply
Pump out toilets are most like the toilets you would use in your home. However, these toilets abandon portability as they consist of a full water and piping system. The waste is held on board in a very large tank and has to be emptied out at a special marine pump-out facility. Once the pump-out facility has taken the waste from the boat, it goes through a variety of steps and processes to allow the water to be reused.
There are various different types of boat toilet, all of which will work differently. It is recommended that when moored ashore, the toilets, showers and other sanitary facilities available at most marinas are used.
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Most marinas have toilets, showers and other sanitary facilities
There are various different types of boat toilet, all of which work differently. Some boats use water from the sea, meaning it is in unlimited supply, whereas others use water from a tank, which needs to be monitored.
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Frequently asked questions
Boat toilets are commonly known as 'heads'.
There are various different types of boat toilet, all of which work differently.
The waste from boat toilets is held on board in a very large tank and has to be emptied out at a special marine pump out facility.
The waste goes through a variety of steps and processes to allow the water to be reused.
Yes, pump out toilets on boats are most like the toilets you would use in your home. However, an important note is that these toilets abandon portability as they consist of a full water and piping system.










































