For your outboard or inboard, a boat fuel tank is an essential accessory. For the main reason that it allows you to avoid unpleasant surprises linked to a fuel breakdown which generally occurs during long river or lake trips. Needless to say, just like the main tank, this portable tank must be supplied with fuel, taking care to respect the refuelling procedures
Why refuel from a dock?
Unlike the main tank, a ship’s nurse is transportable. This is a major advantage as it minimises the risk of fire or air and environmental pollution from fuel spills.
Refuelling from a dock is a safety measure. That is why a self-respecting sailor must secure the boat to the dock and remove the portable tank from the boat when refuelling. The main objective is to avoid spills on the boat and in the water.
And since it is essentially a question of safety, there is no need to specify that the procedure must be carried out away from flames and electronic devices that could cause a short-circuit that could lead to a devastating explosion. This is because a quarter litre of petrol can do the same damage as a stick of dynamite when it explodes.
How do you best deal with a boat nurse?
The ship’s feeder is on the quay and is just waiting to be filled. Up to 90% of its capacity to be precise, as there is too great a risk of the overflow spilling out through the ventilation. And if this happens, you must make sure that you immediately clean the dock and the area of the tank on which the fuel has spilled, taking care to store the used cloth in a safe place.
But to do this properly, you need to start at the beginning, which is to check the type of fuel to be used by looking at the filler cap, which is marked as either Petrol or Diesel. The choice depends on which of these labels is used.
Then comes the expected moment during which you must :
- Place the tank on the ground;
- Remove the cap;
- Make sure that the pump nozzle is always in contact with the container throughout the process to avoid the risk of sparks caused by static electricity;
- Ensure that the first few litres are poured at a reduced rate to avoid backflow which will cause spillage and waste.
Once this is done, all you have to do is close the feeder by screwing the cap tightly and make sure not to spill it or expose it to the sun for too long.
And since this type of equipment is mainly used on long crossings, it is obvious to evaluate the quantity of fuel needed by referring to the basic rule which consists of putting at its disposal :
- 1/3 of the tank for the outward journey ;
- 1/3 for the return journey;
- 1/3 as a reserve.
Unlike the main tank, a boat feeder is transportable. This is a major advantage, as it minimises the risk of fire or air and environmental pollution caused by fuel spills.
