Helping the Best Become Better
The British Marine Federation (BMF), in conjunction with the Yacht Harbour Association, presents the internationally renowned Advanced Marina Management School.
Legislation (EU Directive 2009/30/EC will be introduced on the 1st January 2011 which requires that all gas oil (red diesel) used for inland recreational craft should contain no more that 10 milligrams of sulphur per kilogram of fuel (virtually sulphur free). At present UK fuel supply includes two 'diesel' grades, road diesel and gas oil which is supplied for off-road equipment, coastal shipping, commercial heating applications and stationary equipment. Gas oil currently contains up to 1000 milligrams of sulphur per kilogram, but road diesel is already sulphur free. The oil industry has indicated that they expect to meet the sulphur free gas oil requirement largely by supplying road diesel for use in off-road equipment and adding a red excise marker dye for use such as inland recreation vessels.
The implications of this to marinas and boaters is that because road diesel contains some biodiesel (up to 7%), much off-road equipment gas oil is also likely to contain biodiesel by 1st January 2011. Sulphur free gas oil will require improved fuel storage “housekeeping” arrangements. If you have tanks storing gas oil you will need to ensure that these are free of water and monitor them monthly to ensure that they remain so. It is recommended that you turnover the contents of the tank every 6 months, but in any event, no less often than every 12 months. If a bacterial outbreak occurs in your fuel you will need to empty and clean your tanks, or seek specialist help to tackle the outbreak with biocide additives and filtering. Where fuel tank location or geometry prevents their cleaning, bacterial growth will eventually be flushed through, but this is likely to require repeated changes of fuel filters to prevent blockages.
Users should also replace fuel filters on storage tanks and vessels as a one-off exercise, after 2 to 3 fuel tank throughputs, to prevent deposits picked up by the new fuel blocking filters. Users of older engines and storage tanks with sight gauges should check for any signs of fuel leakage. If leakage does occur the equipment will need a one-off replacement of any leaking fuel seals or fuel pipes.
Q - Why are gas oil quality requirements changing?
A - Sulphur free gas oil is needed to ensure reliable operation of new, cleaner off-road equipment engines being introduced from 2011 in support of EU air quality objectives.
Q - How do I know if I am buying heating gas oil or sulphur free gas oil for off-road equipment?
A - Sulphur free gas oil for off-road equipment is not visually distinguishable from heating gas oil. Make sure your fuel supplier knows what use you need the fuel for. They will be able to tell you what standard the fuel they supply you with meets.
For more information on this legislation or any other relevant issues please contact Gareth Turnbull, TYHA General Manager directly on 01784 223 816 or gturnbull@britishmarine.co.uk.
