Cowes Fuel Barge - problem?

wightboy! · 21 September 2012, 14:02

I normally fill up with petrol at the Cowes Fuel Barge, never had any problems before but since filling up there last Sunday - September 16th - I have suffered major fuel contamination. There were several ribs waiting to get fuel, just wondering if anyone else has had any problems?
Thanks

Alf · 21 September 2012, 21:25

Hi,
Do you mean the place in the yacht haven? I filled up there on the 9th and have done 30 miles since without a problem. Or did you fill up by the ferry?

Alf

wightboy! · 21 September 2012, 23:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alf

Hi,
Do you mean the place in the yacht haven? I filled up there on the 9th and have done 30 miles since without a problem. Or did you fill up by the ferry?

Alf

I filled up on the large barge just up river from the chain ferry, i fill up there regularly, no problem until September 16th. It was busy there on Sunday, just wondered if anyone else filled there on the same day.

Gilles · 22 September 2012, 03:24

Hi,

I filled up last Friday 7th at the yacht marina, and come back to Belgium, used 160L no issues.

Mextli · 22 September 2012, 06:08

Wightboy maybe your filter is old and needs to be changed...

wightboy! · 22 September 2012, 08:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gilles

Hi,

I filled up last Friday 7th at the yacht marina, and come back to Belgium, used 160L no issues.

As mentioned in previous post, no problem until the 16th September and the fuel was from the barge in the river not at the marina.
Thanks

wightboy! · 22 September 2012, 08:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mextli

Wightboy maybe your filter is old and needs to be changed...

Filters are changed regularly, never seen a trace of water in them before, now I am sucking straight water from the tanks. Thanks for the message.
Cheers

hobbit555 · 22 September 2012, 15:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by wightboy!

Filters are changed regularly, never seen a trace of water in them before, now I am sucking straight water from the tanks. Thanks for the message.
Cheers

A leak somewhere In the tank letting in water??

Might be worth getting a sample from the suppliers tank before filling then leave to settle before filling

nik · 22 September 2012, 15:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by wightboy!

- I have suffered major fuel contamination.
Thanks

The RNLI regularly fill up with petrol there. If there was a problem, I would imagine they would have something to say about it.

Hunton69 · 22 September 2012, 17:08

Blastoff got dodgi fuel a couple of years ago on CTC race scuppered his race. He filled up from one of the Cowes fuel stationsnot sure which one.

Swipes this year had the same problem in the CTC but his was diesel from the itchen up by the tugs

wightboy! · 22 September 2012, 19:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by hobbit555

A leak somewhere In the tank letting in water??

Might be worth getting a sample from the suppliers tank before filling then leave to settle before filling

Pretty sure its not leaking tanks, I have two independant tanks both have water in them.

Nice idea, though not too sure how many fuel berths would be willing to give out a sample before filling...
Cheers

wightboy! · 22 September 2012, 19:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by nik

The RNLI regularly fill up with petrol there. If there was a problem, I would imagine they would have something to say about it.

Hi Nik
Don't get me wrong, I have used the barge for years and Im sure will continue to do so.

I'm pretty sure it was yourself who served me last Sunday, so I guess you can answer my original question, have you heard of anyone else having fuel problems this past week?
Thanks

nik · 23 September 2012, 14:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by wightboy!

Hi Nik
Don't get me wrong, I have used the barge for years and Im sure will continue to do so.

I'm pretty sure it was yourself who served me last Sunday, so I guess you can answer my original question, have you heard of anyone else having fuel problems this past week?
Thanks

Short answer, no.

The fuel is delivered from a road tanker to a boat tanker, moved down river to the barge, then transferred to the barge.
You have to assume that it is clean from the road tanker, I have seen inside the boat tanks and they are clean.
That only leaves the barge tank as a possibility, but I am very dubious. The cap is only opened for less than a minute a day.
As a guesstimate, I think we have shipped about 60,000 litres since june, so its not sitting around for long.

hobbit555 · 23 September 2012, 19:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by wightboy!

Pretty sure its not leaking tanks, I have two independant tanks both have water in them.

Nice idea, though not too sure how many fuel berths would be willing to give out a sample before filling...
Cheers

It's pretty standard for larger vessels taking fuel to get a sample before filling. Personally I wouldn't take fuel if they wouldn't supply a sample or guarantee to cover cost of repairs to engine in the event of bad fuel especially in the Solent where there are many other fuel points.

tim griffin · 23 September 2012, 20:48

Filled the rib and PWC up on Saturday for teaching and no problems .
Sure its not your boat, as not had a problem yet from Cowes Harbour fuels in all the time I have been using them 15 plus years .
Tim

SDGANDER · 24 September 2012, 08:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by hobbit555

It's pretty standard for larger vessels taking fuel to get a sample before filling. Personally I wouldn't take fuel if they wouldn't supply a sample or guarantee to cover cost of repairs to engine in the event of bad fuel especially in the Solent where there are many other fuel points.

I can't recall 100% (0030 hrs and much rum here) but I believe it is required for MARPOL regulations for certain vessels.

SDG

wightboy! · 24 September 2012, 11:35

Thanks for all the replies, sounds like the barge gets a clean bill of health! will have to investigate other reasons for the water ingress.
Cheers