Have witnessed it many times, but sometimes it is not "thrown". I fish trawlers on a regular basis when they are on anchor in the Trinity Shoal area for blackfin, cobia, and so on. Lots of times, these trawlers are owned and operated by Asians that can stay on the boat for very long periods. These large boats have ice/water makers, so until they need fuel, provisions, or offload their catch, they stay offshore. Their household garbage is bagged up and held until they return to the dock. Sadly, lots of times the bags are blown off the deck in bad weather. I have never seen them intentionally throw their bags overboard, but I have witnessed on three occassions over the years where bags were blown over. This is while no one was on the deck, so I just went by with my boat and got them with a gaff and brought them in w/ me.
Every vessel inspected by the USCG has a chart in the wheelhouse and galley that shows what discharge can go overboard and how far from shore you need to be. Oil and plastic are never allowed no matter how far out you are.
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