5.5.1 Maintenance of sea cocks and strainers

Component Maintenance Notes and precautions
Seacocks and strainers Cleaning (as required depending on the docking area, but at least every month) This operation has to be carried out outside, therefore the yacht must be in a dry dock or you can ask the intervention of a diver.
  • Have the sea cocks cleaned (removal of seaweed or barnacles. If necessary have them removed with a brush).

Inspection and cleaning valves and filters:

  • Cleaning is to be carried out more frequently if the water drawn in is particularly dirty (seaweed, mucilage, etc..).
WARNING

Before removing the filter, it is necessary to close the valve fitted to the sea cock, to prevent flooding the bilge with water.

Inspection and cleaning valves and filters:
  • Check for barnacles or corrosion on the control levers of the cut-off valves of the filter to be checked.
  • Clean the control levers of the valves with a brush.
  • Move the levers repeatedly.
  • Close the cut-off valve upstream the strainer.
  • Remove the filter cover by loosening the screws.
  • Remove the filter element, clean it with a brush and rinse it in water (replace as necessary).
  • Clean the strainer housing.
  • Check and, if necessary, replace the gasket of the strainer cover.
  • Fill the strainer with water to avoid the pumps running dry or that the system does not prime.
  • Reposition the strainer, the cover and tighten the nuts.
  • Reopen the cut-OFF valve and check whether the strainer cover is leaking.
WARNING

Before servicing the sea water lines, disable the operation of the connected utilities.
Before restarting the utilities, make sure that the cut-OFF valve is completely open.

WARNING

During navigation, periodically check the cleanliness of the seawater filters.
If the yacht is crossing a dirty sea area, check the condition of the strainers and proceed with their cleaning.
Taking suitable precautions is very important to prevent damage to mechanical parts (engines, etc..), discharge systems and to not jeopardize the safety of the yacht.