Tag Archives | trawler

CRUISING ACTIVITY GRINDS TO A TEMPORARY HALT

By on March 30, 2020 in Envoy
CRUISING ACTIVITY GRINDS TO
A TEMPORARY HALT
How
quickly situations can change. Just a few weeks ago we all watched TV
news in amazement as parts of China went into total lockdown and
thought that could never happen here. The humorists among us joked
that if it happens we could all go boating, but sadly it seems not.
The
first affects on boating were overseas, as when international borders
were closed to travel this applied to pleasure boaters too. By
mid-March some countries including France and Greece had placed a
complete ban on all movements of recreational boats and closed
harbours and marinas except to ferries. Cruisers with boats located
overseas started canceling their overseas travel as there was no
point in traveling if they couldn’t use their boat and soon after
that travel became virtually impossible anyway.
This
applied to the very disappointed Queenslanders who bought our boat
Envoy based in Greece and who will now probably have to wait until
next year for their maiden cruise.
In
mid-March people aged over 70 were asked to stay home and on 27 March
New Zealand went into lock down.
At
first many people thought this situation may provide an ideal time to
go boating and fishing but this has since received some
clarification.
We
were aboard our boat Rapport in Coromandel Harbour when the lockdown was
announced commencing a few days later. We decided to head home to
comply. A strong north-westerly had built a boisterous chop in the
Firth of Thames, so we set out when the wind dropped early on the
last morning before the lockdown when the conditions were perfect.
Arriving
back at our marina we found many boat owners busy loading supplies
and intending to head out before the lockdown started. Several of them
commented to us that they “don’t know if this is allowed or not”.
One person says he’s loaded his boat with supplies so “has to
go”. Another says that his and other families intend to “group
isolate” in their boats on the water. Generally there was a festive
atmosphere, like Boxing Day when boaties load up and depart for their
holidays.
On
24 March Coastguard sent an email message to their members and part
of this reads:
“We
have has a lot of calls and messages from the public asking if
they’re able to go out on the water during the lockdown period; our
answer is no”.
This
is based on the fact that by going out on the water you could
potentially get into trouble and require assistance, putting
Coastguard or other authorities at risk during the lockdown.
In
Marlborough the harbour master has declared that boating is not
permitted during the lockdown and that patrols will ensure this is
adhered to.
The
situation was further clarified a day or so later on TV news when
fishing and boating were specifically advised as non-permitted
activities. Several boating clubs have advised boating is not allowed
and one of Auckland’s biggest trailer boat launching areas the
Outboard Boating club, has closed its facilities for the duration of
the lockdown.
Just
today our marina emailed berth holders saying it has noticed an
increase in people coming to the marina to do maintenance or just to
visit their boats and stating it is not permitted to come to the
marina for any reason during the lockdown.
Even
as of 31/3 I can’t find any information online that expressly
forbids boating (except for trailer boating), but my view is boating
now would be irresponsible – why?
–
It ignores the advice of Coastguard, other SAR authorities and
boating clubs
–
If we are over 70 it’s a no brainer, we are required to stay at
home
–
We are only permitted to travel for essential purposes including to
and from designated essential work, buying food and obtaining medical
services – so travel to and from the marina does not qualify
–
It’s not practically possible to pass by other people on marina
berth fingers and maintain a social distance of over two metres and
this risks spreading infections
– To attempt to go boating would contravene the spirit of the lockdown (as well as possibly the law)
It
will be interesting to see if people attempt to treat this Easter as
a normal one and head to their marina to go cruising.
Anyway
one week of the period has almost passed so it hopefully won’t be
too much longer before boating returns to normal.

Brussels

By on March 30, 2020 in M/V Dirona

Brussels famous Grand Place, named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1998, is one of the most magnificent city squares in Europe. A 15th-century spired town hall rises on one side, while ornate 17th-century guild halls and other centuries-old buildings form the other three sides. The square is all but invisible until you walk through…

Strange Days Indeed

By on March 28, 2020 in Istaboa

Nobody told me there’d be days like these.Nordhavn 57-26 Istaboa

Making It Happen & Free Book Offer

By on March 27, 2020 in Wind Horse

Linda and Steve Dashew’s four books now available as a free PDF download. We have been blessed with the support …Read More

San Francisco Shut Down: COVID-19 Quarantine

By on March 25, 2020 in Istaboa

I think they’re taking it seriously.Stay safe and healthy -Nordhavn 57-26 Istaboa

Distancing

By on March 23, 2020 in aCappella
Dylan, Dee Dee, and Dora have been living with the changes caused by the Coronavirus. They are doing their part where they can but this “social distancing” thing has them a little confused. Are their “6 feet” calculated in the same way as “dog years”? Does that make a foot enough?

In reality, things have changed mostly for the better with the Red Head crew. They are enjoying even more time with Mom and Dad than usual. The crew never could figure out why they would ever be left alone.
Unfortunately, their Bahamas trip has been canceled. Red Head will be staying in a Key West for now until the situation becomes more clear – if it ever does. For Mom and Dad it’s a very different place as this lively destination turns into a ghost town.

The crew’s schedule is unchanged – up at 6 am, breakfast, short nap, trip to the dog park and a walk, spending the rest of the day guarding against pirates (plus a few more naps), supper, and then cuddle time with a Mom and Dad until bedtime.
No worries, we’re all doing just fine. The Red Head projects list is steadily shrinking. There are lots of new recipes to try – Mom has learned how to make seitan. Dad has been tearing up the guitar. There are books to read, movies to watch, and kids to play with. While it may not be the winter we had planned, we are healthy and have the resources we need. With so many facing so much worse, we feel extremely fortunate. Looking forward to the good times ahead.

Along the Scheldt

By on March 23, 2020 in M/V Dirona

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, two million Europeans departed Antwerp along the river Scheldt aboard Red Star Line ships bound for North America. Today, the shipping company’s riverside warehouse is now home to an excellent museum detailing the history of that emigration. During that time, the only connection between the east and west…

And We Have Propane

By on March 22, 2020 in M/V Dirona

When we ordered Dirona back in 2009, we specified a propane barbecue and stove top, along with four 20-gallon (9 kg) aluminum propane tanks. Three of those tanks are stored in the cockpit locker underneath the barbecue, with a fourth in the aft port cockpit locker. We specified so many because filling propane tanks outside…

Historic Antwerp

By on March 21, 2020 in M/V Dirona

Antwerp was already a major trading center by the 14th century, with sufficient resources to begin construction of the spectacular Cathedral of Our Lady. By the 16th century, Antwerp was the leading commercial center in Europe and home to one of continent’s most respected publishing houses, operated by Christophe Plantin. This period also saw the…

TAKE CARE OF YOUR DIESEL

By on March 16, 2020 in Envoy
The corona virus issue will have a major effect on cruisers and many will be canceling their plans to join their vessels overseas for the northern hemisphere summer. Their major concerns are the risk of contracting the virus, the relative inadequacy of medical facilities in some destinations, uncertainties about medical insurance and repatriation in case of illness, difficulties for their visitors to travel and return to their country of origin, the difficulty in returning should any emergency occur at home, the large scale closure of cafes, restaurants and tourist areas of interest, possible difficulties in obtaining technical assistance should the crisis worsen and the general uncertainty during what is currently an escalating phase.
This is an article we wrote published a while back in Pacific PowerBoat magazine.
Since a large number of diesel engine problems are fuel-related we should always follow best practice procedures in managing our fuel supply; the key areas to consider being monitoring, filtration and rotation.
Fuel Tanks and Filtration
All tanks require an air breather to equalise internal pressure during changes in fuel level and should ideally have a removable inspection port enabling access for periodic inspection and cleaning. The tank’s outlet should be situated as low as possible to avoid the accumulation of water and contaminants in the bottom of the tank.
Filtration starts with a “primary” filter to separate any water present and clean the fuel before it reaches the engine, where a replaceable on-engine “secondary” filter provides a final clean before fuel is supplied to the injection pump. If water accumulates in the primary filter’s clear inspection bowl we need to identify its cause and resolve the problem.
Many primary filtration systems have a vacuum gauge to indicate when the replaceable filter cartridges should be changed. In any case they should be replaced about annually as the paper filter media can deteriorate after long term diesel immersion. Sometimes it’s hard to tell if this gauge is working (Envoy’s needle rarely moved) and you can check this by slowly closing the engine’s fuel supply valve (not the return valve) with the engine idling in neutral. You should see the gauge’s needle begin to rise confirming a vacuum is present. Every boat should carry several spare filters and every skipper should know how to change them.
While diesel sold throughout Australasia is generally high quality and contamination is rare, this is not always the case in other countries and long range cruising vessels often have a further filtration (or “polishing”) system to polish all fuel into one designated tank (often called a “day tank”) which solely supplies fuel to run the engine(s). The excess fuel from the engine(s) also returns to this tank. Most commercial vessels also use this system.
A long range cruising vessel also generally has a dual primary filter installation so that a filter cartridge can be replaced underway.
Diesel contamination
For a boat owner the mention of diesel “bug” invokes about the same amount of consternation as osmosis. All diesel carries bug to some extent and the presence of water encourages growth, hence the need to reduce condensation in fuel tanks by keeping them as full as possible. The bug is a fungal organism called Hormoconis resinae (H.res) and is a bacteria not an algae (which would require light). It can normally be seen in filter bowls as black spots or stringy matter. Water and/or hazy, cloudy fuel is also a sign of possible pending problems.
Another issue is asphaltenes (sticky black tar-like particles) which can start to form after about 90 days in unstabilised fuel. You can tell the difference between asphaltenes and other contaminants by collecting a black particle from the fuel filter and putting a drop of acetone or thinner on it. If it begins to melt it’s an asphaltene particle from old, degraded fuel. Bacterial particles also emit a sulphur dioxide (rotten egg) smell.
Aboard Envoy we had a New Zealand-made De-Bug unit installed in the polishing system’s fuel input to reduce the chances of diesel bug and either by good luck or good management we never encountered the problem.
Fuel Stabiliser
We always used a fuel stabiliser when refueling to reduce oxidation, increase lubricity and reduce fuel injector pump and injector wear. It’s important to add the correct levels of stabiliser and especially not too much. While stabilisers act as antioxidants they also gradually break down any asphaltine particulates and it’s important this occurs only gradually and not suddenly as could happen with excessive additions. Also if too much stabiliser is added any water present may emulsify in the diesel and pass through the filters into the injection pump and injectors where it could cause damage and corrosion.
Additives that deal with water fall into two categories:
The first encourages its mixture with, or suspension in fuel so the water is captured by a water separator or goes to the engine to be vaporised in combustion. These are known as emulsifiers or dispersants or suspension additives. The second category encourages its separation from fuel so it can be drained from a tank or filter. These are demulsifiers.
Some engine manufacturers prohibit using the first option, so only use additives recommended by your engine supplier.
What about bio-diesel?
New Zealand’s bio-diesel has a 5 per cent “bio” content (sourced from tallow) and isn’t generally sold at marine outlets. Bio-diesel is slightly more hygroscopic than standard diesel although at the five per cent level it is very similar to standard. An industry source informed me that while bio-diesel should preferably be used within six months of purchase it contains additional antioxidant and shouldn’t be a problem for up to twelve months. Some commercial operators regularly use bio-diesel and report less emissions and longer periods between filter changes, however unlike privately owned vessels theirs are in frequent use and constantly turning their fuel over.
Maritime New Zealand recommends checking with your engine manufacturer before using bio-diesel. In the Med the commonly sold fuel is 15 per cent bio-diesel and we’ve used this up to two years after purchase without any issues.
The key point is whatever fuel you are using, monitor it and always use your oldest fuel first.