The importance of ER checks.

[motoryacht lover]

As krush stated, keep the bilges clean. There is no reason or excuse for fuel or oil to be in the bilge in the first place. Spend the time and /or money and get the bilge bays clean and fix the leaks that caused the problem in the first place.

Kelpy, I think that is a little strong. Like someone said there are a lot of inaccessible bilge areas that are tough/impossible to get to. Your statement sounds like someone who reads the policy book with no allowance for real world problems and whether a person is making an honest effort to comply with whatever law they may be breaking. I have got diapers all over the engine room and they don't capture everything. I have had to change racors underway in the Gulf Stream while rough and I spilt some diesel. If some ends up in the bilge and gets pumped overboard have I broke a law (probably) do I deserve to get punished? I'll let the forum answer that one.

 

[Boatsb]

From someone who did change a filter in 6 foot seas ill answer that.

There's no reason to make a mess

I ran on one bad the boat heading into the seas. Changed the other.

Switched and repeated .

I had spillage on the dialers below the filters but not a huge mess.

 

[kelpy]

I don't think I am being a bit strong. I do realize that there are many places that are hard or impossible to get to. That is not my point. All oil leaks are fixable. All of the twenty - thirty something year old hoses should be replaced that convey oil, fuel, etc. Relying on oil absorbers and dish soap is just not the right way to do things in addition to being illegal if boarded and inspected. Sure, some oil or fuel might spill over the side inadvertantly - it happens. Just don't get caught!

 

[motoryacht lover]

I don't think I am being a bit strong. I do realize that there are many places that are hard or impossible to get to. That is not my point. All oil leaks are fixable. All of the twenty - thirty something year old hoses should be replaced that convey oil, fuel, etc. Relying on oil absorbers and dish soap is just not the right way to do things in addition to being illegal if boarded and inspected. Sure, some oil or fuel might spill over the side inadvertantly - it happens. Just don't get caught!

I agree with you on not relying on soap and diapers. I think laws, rules, etc need interpretation sometimes and the rule book can't/doesn't cover every situation. In this day and time it is had to exist without being in violation of something.

 

[mykim]

About the only thing I believe the cameras are good for is to tell you, yep the motors are still there. Nothing can replace the trip into the ER for a visual on your machinery.

 

[spartonboat1]

Yeah, good point on the cameras, I guess one mounted under, one on top is the best.

For the liquid level in the sump, I was thinking something that would alert even sooner than a float switch. Something like this:
https://www.adafruit.com/product/3397

Bookmarked that!