Continental pump out station - how do they work ?!

eebygum

eebygum

Well-Known Member
Joined
6 Nov 2002
Messages
566
Location
Manchester
Visit site
Bit of a shitty question ….

We are shortly crossing the channel for Holland and the standing Mast Route.

We have a holding tank onboard but have no deck pump out fitting (the holding tank is above the waterline and we use direct gravity discharge when well offshore).

Do pump out stations only work via the Deck Pump out fitting or can I open my cockpit locker and the lid of the holding tank and use the hose (?) to pump out directly ?

My partner is VERY keen to u see stand this issues !

Cheers
 
If you can find a Pump Out Station !!

The ones I have seen - all used the deck pump out fitting ... but I did see one with various pipes that could be inserted into the deck fitting to pass down to the tank ...

But lets see if anyone else has any info of what they've seen ....
 
If using a deck fitting an adapter may be required.

One of my favourite funny stories is of a mate who tried to pump out on the Thames without one. The outcome was either truly unpleasant or hilarious depending upon your perspective (and proximity to the deck fitting) 😁
.
 
A pump out tank normally has a connection on the top of the tank, with an internal pipe which goes to the bottom of the tank. This allows the suction hose to empty the tank.
You'll need a hose to attach to that and a connector to match the shore side pump out hose. Normally this a connector is fitted into the deck, I don't see a reason why this won't work on the end of a hose.
I can't help with the specific type of connector, my boat has holding tanks, and a deck connector, but I've never used a pump out station. They don't seem to exist in NW Scotland, we empty and flush the tanks when we are well offshore.
Perhaps others who have used the European canals or sail in Turkish water can help.
 
In the Baltic - you can imagine - its a Clean Seas Designated area ... but try find a Pump Out Station !!

My 38 has Deck fitting for pump out ... I've never used it .... in fact might be an idea to open it and check fitting !! It also has changeover valves where Jabsco can pump direct to sea or to holding tank as well as holding tank can divert to sea or to deck .... don't try to imagine the pipework ... it looks like a bunch of eels all coiling round each other !!
 
eebygum said:
Thanks, that makes sense and confirms it’s not going to work !
Click to expand...
But you probably can fit the relevant “deck” fitting direct to the top of your tank or for convenience to the inspection hatch and then have a piece of pipe to the bottom of your tank. That would save drilling holes in your deck, having to route the pipe work etc but bring you almost as much convenience. You can probably cobble something together to use a bit of bit hose and the right fitting to extend the yard’s “hoover” but you will then have a manky bit of hose to store and the unpleasant experience of opening the hatch and trying to direct a hose the depths….
 
If it is going to be problematic, you can probably relax and just settle for the fact that you will be using shore facilities. We have 'done' Holland and the MU route many times and never bothered with pump-outs though we have a fitting.
 
johnalison said:
If it is going to be problematic, you can probably relax and just settle for the fact that you will be using shore facilities. We have 'done' Holland and the MU route many times and never bothered with pump-outs though we have a fitting.
Click to expand...
Yes it’s the MU route we heading towards (currently in Dover and aiming to depart Sunday); so that’s reassuring to know.
 
eebygum said:
Bit of a shitty question ….

We are shortly crossing the channel for Holland and the standing Mast Route.

We have a holding tank onboard but have no deck pump out fitting (the holding tank is above the waterline and we use direct gravity discharge when well offshore).

Do pump out stations only work via the Deck Pump out fitting or can I open my cockpit locker and the lid of the holding tank and use the hose (?) to pump out directly ?

My partner is VERY keen to u see stand this issues !

Cheers
Click to expand...
What boat is this? I’ve had boats with both systems (gravity and pump sea discharge) but always also had a deck pump-out fitting; seems unusual to have gone to the trouble and expense of fitting a holding tank but not added a deck pump out.
 
Sticky Fingers said:
What boat is this? I’ve had boats with both systems (gravity and pump sea discharge) but always also had a deck pump-out fitting; seems unusual to have gone to the trouble and expense of fitting a holding tank but not added a deck pump out.
Click to expand...
My mate has a 10yr old Bene Oceanis 31 and that has a factory gravity tank but no deck fitting.
 
Sticky Fingers said:
Wow,, really? Seems like a ludicrous cheapskate cost cutting thing.
Click to expand...

The Bav Match 35 - I delivered from Germany to Latvia .... had holding tank - but do not recall it having a deck pump out .. in fact the bl**** tank was blocked up ..... my kind regards and thanks to seller selling in that condition ! (Charter Company Travemuunde).
 
I suggest using shore facilities whenever available.
Therefore aiming for a ''pee only'' policy on the boat.
Therefore any discharge into the water from the holding tank if carried out when under way and when no other boats or people are close by will not be identifiable.

PS Also have a small bin with a nappy bag liner for used toilet paper to avoid toilet paper in the holding tank.
 
We found the Dutch pump out facilities fairly hit and miss. All the ones I've found use the deck fitting suction hose system. Usually using a rubber cone and stop valve on the hose end. Most are fairly efficient, some just don't work, in which case move on, marina stuff unlikely to want to help. Worst one I found was in Gouda, had to find a man to unlock a kiosk, then the suction hose had a threaded union, no hope!
In Friesland they now have several self service solar powered floating barges, most work OK.
I suggest that fitting a deck pump out is worthwhile, can't see any alternative.
 
eebygum said:
We have a holding tank onboard but have no deck pump out fitting (the holding tank is above the waterline and we use direct gravity discharge when well offshore).
Click to expand...
No need to fit an internal pipe to from top of tank to bottom as suggested above. Just put a T-piece in the hose between the tank bottom and through hull. Then connect new hose from the T to a deck fitting.
The deck fitting should comply with ISO standard 8099, which prescribes an internal thread (likely to match an external thread on the shore side suction hose mouth piece). But the rubber cone mouth piece mentioned above also works well with this deck fitting, in my experience.
 
Last edited:
Momac said:
I suggest using shore facilities whenever available.
Therefore aiming for a ''pee only'' policy on the boat.
Therefore any discharge into the water from the holding tank if carried out when under way and when no other boats or people are close by will not be identifiable.

PS Also have a small bin with a nappy bag liner for used toilet paper to avoid toilet paper in the holding tank.
Click to expand...
That’s always been our method to date.

My Westerly Storm did not have a holding tank when originally priduced. I retrospectively installed one over the winter which has worked excellently, but I decided not to install a deck pump out in the first phase installation as I ran out of time over the winter.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top