If you are anything like me, when you learn to sail, you also need to know a bit about rules and regulations out on the water. Take dumping garbage.

Now, this doesn’t mean just paper, beer cans, or food wrappers. It also includes a simple apple core or the peel from a juicy orange. So here in a nutshell are the rules for what you can and cannot toss over the side when sailing:

Less than 3 miles from Land
You are not allowed to dump any type of product, which includes paper, plastic, glass, metals, or foods.

From 3 miles to 12 miles from Land
You must grind or break up all products, including paper, glass, metals, or foods to less than one inch. You are not allowed to toss over any type of packing material that floats. You may never throw over plastic or materials that contain plastic (like Styrofoam).

More than 12 miles from Land
Anything goes with the exception of plastics or any materials that contain plastics.

Follow these three simple sailing tips to learn to sail without the headache of hefty fines. Keep sailing fun and the environment safe for all to enjoy—wherever in the world you choose to go sailing!