Bio-Sediment Contaminants In Diesel
Fuel contamination is one of the most difficult things for some new boat owners to understand. In their mind, it's a new boat that just received a clean bill of health from a licensed marine surveyor. The reality is, surveyors don't check the fuel. This issue has left many new boat owners feeling duped or misled. They transition from what should've been the most enjoyable part of their boating experience to one of despair. This often occurs on their maiden voyage or delivery. Ultimately it is the painful and tedious job of the delivery captain to address the issue and inform the owner.
There are many types of fuel contaminants, but for the sake of this article, we're going to focus on bio-sediment. Typically, the old owner doesn't have time, has lost interest, or used the boat as a floating residence. Lack of use creates a stagnate environment in the fuel tanks which allows micro-organisms, bacteria, fungus, yeast and mold to thrive. The waste products they give off form a sediment which floats in the fuel and grows on the sides of the tanks. Think milk turning into cottage cheese. This material can clog fuel systems at every turn. The worst part is the illusive nature of the sediment. It doesn't rear its ugly head in calm waters, it waits until the seas are rough and the fuel is sloshing around, peeling off the sides of the tanks as you pitch and roll. This is what makes this problem so dangerous..
Fortunately, if caught early enough, there are steps to resolve the issue. Preventative maintenance is the best approach, but frequently overlooked. A conditioner can be added to prevent growth, but once its in there, polishing the tank is the only way to get it out. In extreme cases, the tank needs to be replaced. Polishing the fuel consists of pumping the diesel through a filtration system and trying your best to get everything off the sides and bottom of the tank.
I think it would be fair to say that fuel filtration systems are one of the first things any experienced captain looks at when contracting with a new customer. If there is any question as to the quality of the fuel, we recommend, and in some cases, insist the fuel is polished. While we are capable of providing this service, it isn't something we want to do.
Fuel filters come in many shapes and sizes. We prefer filters that have a see through bowl at the bottom. This allows us to monitor the fuel, ensuring a trouble free trip. An ideal configuration would be two inline filters connected through selector valves. If one starts to get clogged, you can switch over to the secondary without missing a beat. This is the safest and most reliable configuration. We are happy to discuss installing this type of system on your sailboat. We feel this type of system should be standard on any vessel. It's not very expensive, and adds a great deal of safety to your boating experience. You never know when you're going to get bad fuel. Quality control standards aren't the same everywhere.
Captain John Tilley
There are many types of fuel contaminants, but for the sake of this article, we're going to focus on bio-sediment. Typically, the old owner doesn't have time, has lost interest, or used the boat as a floating residence. Lack of use creates a stagnate environment in the fuel tanks which allows micro-organisms, bacteria, fungus, yeast and mold to thrive. The waste products they give off form a sediment which floats in the fuel and grows on the sides of the tanks. Think milk turning into cottage cheese. This material can clog fuel systems at every turn. The worst part is the illusive nature of the sediment. It doesn't rear its ugly head in calm waters, it waits until the seas are rough and the fuel is sloshing around, peeling off the sides of the tanks as you pitch and roll. This is what makes this problem so dangerous..
Fortunately, if caught early enough, there are steps to resolve the issue. Preventative maintenance is the best approach, but frequently overlooked. A conditioner can be added to prevent growth, but once its in there, polishing the tank is the only way to get it out. In extreme cases, the tank needs to be replaced. Polishing the fuel consists of pumping the diesel through a filtration system and trying your best to get everything off the sides and bottom of the tank.
I think it would be fair to say that fuel filtration systems are one of the first things any experienced captain looks at when contracting with a new customer. If there is any question as to the quality of the fuel, we recommend, and in some cases, insist the fuel is polished. While we are capable of providing this service, it isn't something we want to do.
Fuel filters come in many shapes and sizes. We prefer filters that have a see through bowl at the bottom. This allows us to monitor the fuel, ensuring a trouble free trip. An ideal configuration would be two inline filters connected through selector valves. If one starts to get clogged, you can switch over to the secondary without missing a beat. This is the safest and most reliable configuration. We are happy to discuss installing this type of system on your sailboat. We feel this type of system should be standard on any vessel. It's not very expensive, and adds a great deal of safety to your boating experience. You never know when you're going to get bad fuel. Quality control standards aren't the same everywhere.
Captain John Tilley
