Salt water backup into holding tank

H

HarlenW

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25699
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473
The through hull valve for my macerator was left open and salt water was forced through the macerator into the holding tank while underway. The holding tank filled up to about 3/4 full which I have since pumped out. What is the risk that damage was done? Would it be prudent to run the macerator to flush out any remaining salt water? I would pump out the holding tank first and then partially fill it with fresh water for the process so that no waste would be introduced into the sea. The head is a fresh water system.

Thanks!
 
You need to install a vented loop above the waterline so it won't happen again. Otherwise, unless the water got past the seals into the macerator motor (happened to me once) I think you're fine. I can't see any remaining salt hurting anything; I think what's "normally" in the holding tank is a LOT more corrosive.
 
Salt water coming into the holding tank won't hurt anything - as long as you pump it back out.

As Willie said, you need to add a vented loop between the macerator pump and the through-hull fitting, that is well above the waterline at any angle of heel. That will stop it from recurring, should you again forget to turn the seacock off.

Note that inside the 3 mile limit, it is illegal to have the seacock either open, or closed and NOT secured... So be careful, if you should be boarded by an inspecting officer, and they find that seacock not closed and secured, it's a big fine!
 
The CG didnt say a word about my closed but not secured seacock along with a keyed electrical switch for the overboard pump.
 
If you have a keyed switch to activate the macerator and it's off with no key in the switch, they'll sometimes accept that as the system being secured - but not always. The law states that the SEACOCK must be turned off and secured. It's up to the discretion of the boarding officer.
 
ok.. I'm going to rant again... why is it that boat builders still cant' get such simple systems right... apparently, this happened on an almost new Mainship !!!! why is it so hard to install a vented loop when the boat is built ? if they can't get the sanitation system right, how can they be trusted with electrical or fuel system ? geez...

:-)

since many boats use raw water for flushing, your tank and macerator will be just fine, dont worry about it.. but indeed you don't want to be boarded with the seacock open and no key or the key on the switch !

btw, being underway isn't what let water back in, i really doubt they put a scoop on that thruhull. it's about the water level, it would happen even sitting at the dock.
 
Thanks for the feedback guys.

How should the seacock be “secured”? Do I need to put some sort of lock on it? It is located under the galley and not easy to get to. I have a switch protector mounted over the electrical switch that turns it on so that it can’t be accidentally activated with the seacock closed, or open for that matter.
 
If you look at the handle to the through hull you will see a hole in it and you should also see a loop or something screwed to the deck close by. Take a nylon wire tie and insert it through the handle and the device on the deck, pull it tight enough so that you cannot open the handle and that's all the USCG wants, needs or desires. This effectively locks it in a closed position, without the nylon tie the valve can be opened and that's what they don't want.
This means that if you're going to be a #**%& and dump your tank in inland waters then you have to retie the handle prior to leaving the engine room or be subject to a failed inspection. I don't know the penalty, probably shot at sunrise or something equally ruinous.
Mike, Palm Coast, FL (this is what the USCG told me, I haven't read the book in a long time but I believe that's what it says in the book too.)
 
Don't bet on there being a hole in the handle. I had to drill a hole in mine so I could properly secure it with a wire tie. Since we were rarely in an area where we could dump the tank I finally just removed the handle and kept it in a drawer in the galley.
 
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