Transferring fuel at sea

  • Thread starter Thread starter KAM
  • Start date Start date
MartynG said:
Seems reasonable.
I could get 200 miles (or maybe 300 miles if I go slow) but I don't have any sails.
Click to expand...

I'm a motor sailer ... so its about 50 - 75% of passage time engine is on .... that increases that time even further of course because of the 'non engine' time.

Last trip across Baltic from Ventspils to Farosund (18hrs) average 5kts .... I topped up tank with about 25ltrs ..... time before that about 30ltrs. I basically use engine to maintain that 5kt average.
 
Plum said:
I have been using a system for many years that does not require the can to be lifted out of the locker. I use 20litre cans which are a bit heavy to lift, particularly if it is rough. I use a submersible pump that fits through the kneck of the can and I have a hoselock connector and ball valve that leads to a T joint in the tank filler hose plus a 12volt socket. Only takes, I guess, less than a minute per 20 litres.
The pump i use: Rule Slimline Series Submersible Pump Plus 12V with Battery Clips
View attachment 150465

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk
Click to expand...
I have a similar pump with 3/4" hose barb. Quite good, but the one linked to has the benefit of being batteri operated, so no wires etc.
 
Of course there's at the larger scale :

Transfer rates up to 5000 MT/hr common ..... highest rate I've been involved with being 30,000 MT in just over 4hrs ....

9VlP59fl.jpg


Such transfers occur in many locations around the world, but slowly being banned as more areas become classed 'Clean Sea Areas' .... despite the industry having an impeccable record .....
 
Refueler said:
Of course there's at the larger scale :

Transfer rates up to 5000 MT/hr common ..... highest rate I've been involved with being 30,000 MT in just over 4hrs ....

9VlP59fl.jpg


Such transfers occur in many locations around the world, but slowly being banned as more areas become classed 'Clean Sea Areas' .... despite the industry having an impeccable record .....
Click to expand...
Yeah I spent quite a few years in Gib sailing around the vessels in for bunkers. Also across in Ceuta. Been through the anchorage east of Malta too, very busy.

But they are anchored, not underway. Carrier Strike Group 21 also bunkered HMS Queen Elizabeth whilst she was launching fast jets. Now that's man's work! :cool:
 
Saw several spills in Gib over the years, BTW. Not common, but causes big hassle when it happens. Also a bunker tanker dragging it's anchor one new years time. Another one was sent to tow it from where it grounded I La Linea and that one went aground too....:eek:
 
The main issue that challenges me is having fuel fillers on the side deck where water sluices over. Having a capacity between two tanks of 80 gallons means l can get where I want without refueling at sea.
 
MartynG said:
I am sure they do but imagined that to be very unusual.
Also is it not done mostly under sail?
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Definitely not unusual. Vessel finder is a way of looking at yacht movements globally.

Hundreds cross the N. Atlantic every year for example. And for sure, if you have time to bob through the calm bits, then completing the passage under sail is possible. But generally, skippers will embark enough diesel to keep batteries charged....could be 4 hours a day for those without solar or wind.....plus a few days motoring through calms, enough to get I at the other end and contingency in case of any kind of problem, especially medical.

Personally, I've done heaps of passages on yachts over 500 miles and fuel is a constant thing to keep you thinking!
 
capnsensible said:
Yeah I spent quite a few years in Gib sailing around the vessels in for bunkers. Also across in Ceuta. Been through the anchorage east of Malta too, very busy.

But they are anchored, not underway. Carrier Strike Group 21 also bunkered HMS Queen Elizabeth whilst she was launching fast jets. Now that's man's work! :cool:
Click to expand...
Spent 40 years doing it. A mans a man for awe that!!
 
WoodyP said:
The main issue that challenges me is having fuel fillers on the side deck where water sluices over. Having a capacity between two tanks of 80 gallons means l can get where I want without refueling at sea.
Click to expand...

I too have the typical deck mounted filling plug which is located on the side of the deck and would be unusable with waves or rain so I mounted an additional hole/plug on the top surface of the tank, which can be accessed from the inside of the boat. Transfer with the clear hose syphon. 150l tank, up to additional 250l in jerricans when needed.
 
Leave the fuel can in the locker. Put two pipes with a rag or rubber washer to seal air in the can. Then pump air into the can via one pipe to force fuel out of the other pipe.
 
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