AWCC

Low-sulphur fuel now being supplied

Since 1 January this year quayside fuel suppliers have been legally required to supply gas oil that contains a sulphur content of no more than 10 milligrams of sulphur per kilogram of fuel (mg/kg).
Fuel supplied to road vehicles has been subject to this lower sulphur limit for a number of years.
The new limit covers all Non-Road Mobile Machinery,  a (EU speak) definition which includes inland water-ways vessels and recreational craft that do not normally operate at sea.

Ask for biodiesel free fuel

The fuel you will be supplied with now will still be red but will be virtually sulphur free dependent on where you normally use your boat. However, it is possible  that the fuel being supplied could also contain biodiesel. It is important therefore that you ask for biodiesel free fuel when you are filling up.
Biodiesel has strong solvent and detergent properties in its pure form and can cause problems during storage and on certain materials used in fuel system components.Furthermore if we don’t ask for low-sulphur biodiesel-free fuel then the fuel industry will not be encouraged to produce and supply it.

Why will fuel now contain biodiesel?

Fuel suppliers had originally planned to meet the new requirements largely by supplying road diesel, which does contain biodiesel, with a red marker dye.
By doing this they could avoid the need to produce a third grade of fuel specifically for inland water-ways vessels and recreational craft which was biodiesel-free and low in sulphur.
Whilst most engines are fully compatible with fuel containing biodiesel in the proportion found in road fuel some fuel system components on older engines, in particular fuel seals and pipes, may not be compatible with biodiesel.
Aware that this was could cause potential problems for many boat owners the RYA and the marine industry spent a number of months lobbying producers and suppliers to produce that third grade of fuel.
As a consequence of this pressure many producers and suppliers have now indicated that they will make available a supply of bio-diesel-free sulphur-free diesel. But we need to be asking for it in order to ensure that it is made available.
You will find that there will be a variation in the specifications of fuel supplied to recreational craft, with high-sulphur biodiesel-free fuel, sulphur-free biodiesel-free fuel and sulphur-free fuel with some biodiesel content all being available on the market.
Supply is not therefore going to be uniform. So it is important that you ask at the pump what specification of fuel it is that you are buying and whether it contains biodiesel.

What should I do if I have to buy fuel containing biodiesel?

Remove all water from the tanks and check them monthly to ensure that they remain free of water.
Tanks that don’t already have drain points for removing water are likely to need modification.
Examine sight gauges on older fuel storage tanks for signs of leakage and replace any leaking seals.
If you are having tanks serviced before you receive the new fuel it would be advisable to replace fuel seals as a one-off, precautionary exercise.
Replace fuel filters after two to three deliveries/turnover of the new fuel.
Consider fitting dual filters in parallel with a changeover switch in case one blocks.
Ensure the content of tanks is turned over every six months or in any event no more than 12 months to help prevent blockage of filters and fuel pipe.
Users of older equipment should examine fuel systems in the months following the switchover and replace seals or pipes with compatible ones if there are signs of leakage.

MARCH 2010: The BSS have published two news releases on the storage and use of petrol aboard boats.  If you have a boat which uses a petrol engine for propulsion, or if you carry a portable petrol generator on your boat which you use on or off the boat, then you will find these worth reading.

These are available as down-loadable files below.

Petrol Powered Craft – Be Vigilant NR00110 Petrol powered craft – be vigilant

Petrol Dangers with Portable Engines NR00210 petrol dangers with portable engines

The BSS has further advice on the subject here: www.boatsafetyscheme.com/downloads/avoidingPETROL.pdf

The BSS website is here: www.boatsafetyscheme.com

In the past six years the BSS has recorded 34 incidents of fire or explosion linked to petrol engines on inland waterways and coastal boats. 31 people needed hospital treatment, including some in intensive care. In the same period, seven incidents of accidental carbon monoxide poisoning have been linked to generators and outboard motor exhaust fumes.

BSS has issued an urgent appeal to boaters who may remain at risk from potentially fatal carbon monoxide poisoning, to act on a safety alert from the manufacturers of Belling, Flavel, Leisure, and New World cookers.

Despite earlier warnings about the dangers and extensive efforts by the manufacturers and Trading Standards to contact affected customers, there are still around 12,000 appliances to be tracked down and boat owners could easily have one of these cookers.

The Boat Safety Scheme is advising any boat owners with the following appliances to contact the freephone number on 0800 342 3049 to have the appliance modified as soon as they can.

See also these websites

http://www.belling.co.uk/SAFETY-NOTICE_p61.aspx

http://www.newworldappliances.co.uk/SAFETY-NOTICE_p25.aspx

http://www.leisurecp.co.uk/cookersafetynotice/index.php

http://www.beko.co.uk/cookersafetynotice

The BSS have just released the attached alert on a specific type of portable stove with an integral gas canister.

“The release is made following incidents where people have been seriously burnt and is issued by the Boat Safety Scheme in association with Hampshire County Council Trading Standards.

There are many variants of such stoves and no single model or brand is implicated.

We have attached a generic image for your use and which is intended to reflect no one brand or model, but just a typical design.”

The alert discusses the possibilty of incorrect assembly which can result in the integral gas canister overheating with the possibility of a subsequent explosion.

The full information from the BSS is downloadable here nr00109-portable-gas-stoves-safety-alert-apr-09

The BSI have recently published the attached draft on the installation and use of solid fuel stoves and cooking appliances on boats.

If you want to comment on the draft, it can be accessed at http://drafts.bsigroup.com/?i=283

You will need to register with the site to get at the draft, but this will also allow you to comment as part of the draft review process. You will be asked to provide some log-in details and you will be sent password information via e-mal to allow you to login.

Once logged in, scroll down the page to find the draft (presently the fourth in the list). You will see the draft laid out in a sectional basis and you will be able to comment on anything relevant.

If you prefer to read the draft in paper form, the PDF is here:

n1-solid-fuel-stoves-in-boats-draft-for-public-comment-bs-8511