Eliminating holding tank odors can
be tricky, since you need to be at a pumpout station or three
miles offshore in order to flush the tank legally. There is a
variety of products on the market that claim to eliminate holding
tank odor without the need to flush the tank by using chemicals,
electronics, enzymes, and molecular recomposition. Some are "green"
and others aren’t—check the labels. White vinegar
is nontoxic and environmentally friendly and, with several flushings,
freshens the holding tank. Again, it can only be used when offshore.
Oil and engine fluid leaks in the
bilge occur mostly when the engine is being serviced. To minimize
this and the potential environmental hazards, always change oil,
transmission fluids, and coolant with the bilge pump off and either
bilge pads or disposable diapers available to absorb any spills.
If oil or fuel gets into the bilge, activating the bilge pump
can result in stiff fines! Add a little water to the bilge and
let these fluids float to the surface, then use disposable diapers
or bilge pads to soak them up. Add a little water and a tiny amount
of Joy dish soap to break up the oil or fuel further before mopping
again with disposable diapers or bilge pads. If the boat is sitting
at a slip or mooring, bilge pads under the hose connections leading
into the fuel tank(s), fuel filters, engine, and under the hydraulic
ram if the boat has hydraulic steering not only prevent leaks
entering the bilge but also alert the sailor to any leakage.
Sewage in the bilge will be immediately
apparent, but saltwater bacterial growth will take a little longer
to become apparent. Bacterial odors from these two sources are
enough to bring down the most odor-resistant nose. It’s important to repair any thru-hull and sanitation system leaks or there will always be an odor in the boat. Sometimes the sanitation hoses need to be replaced because of odor permeation into the rubber, and if this is the case, use the newer odor-resistant white vinyl hoses. |
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Engine fluids and sea
water drips encourage algae growth, which create foul smells. |
Remember, when cleaning or fighting
odors to be kind to your surroundings. Choose environmentally
friendly commercial products to eliminate odors. Flushing the
bilge requires great quantities of freshwater pumped overboard.
The sailor’s most ecologically friendly odor eliminators
are also the most inexpensive—white vinegar, Joy dish soap
(no phosphates), and baking soda.
With a little prevention,
smells can be minimized and even eliminated. Next weekend let’s
go sailing.
Author: Kathy Barron
Date Published: 9/03/2003
ArticleURL: http://www.sailnet.com/collections/
articles/prt_article.cfm?artID=barron0015
©1995-2004, MarineNet, Inc.,
Article is reprinted by premission of SailNet |
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