5.6.1 Maintenance of sea cocks and strainers

Component Maintenance Notes and precautions
Seacocks and strainers Cleaning (as required depending on the shoring area, but at least every month)

Seacock cleaning
This operation has to be carried out outside, therefore the yacht must be in a dry shore 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).
DANGER

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

Inspection and cleaning valves and strainers

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

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

Inspection and cleaning valves and strainers:
  • Check for barnacles or corrosion on the control levers of the cut-off valves of the strainer 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 strainer 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, regularly check the cleanliness of the sea water strainer baskets. 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, generators, etc..), discharge systems and to not jeopardize the safety of the yacht.
Utility electric pump Cleaning and checks At least each week, check the operation of the sea water pump.
WARNING

The pump is self-priming but, in order to operate, it needs to have its body filled with liquid.
For a correct use, we recommend at first priming or after a long idling period, to fill the pump body with liquid and to verify the rotation direction of the pump (it should be clockwise, seen from the engine side).
Besides, if on the control panel the pump operating led remains always lit, but the connected utilities are not in use, check for leaks.

DANGER

Before servicing the pump, disable its operation.

  • Have the inner cleanliness of the pump checked; possibly, have it cleaned with well diluted detergent and dried.
  • Have the fittings for well tightening and corrosion checked.
  • Frequently check and keep the suction filter clean.
  • Check that the electric power supply cables are in good conditions.
  • For further information, see the Manufacturer’s Manual.

Seacocks, strainers and valves:

Inspection and cleaning
The sea cock cleaning operation must be carried out from the outside, therefore with the yacht dry or with the intervention of a diver.

DANGER

If the yacht is in water, before working on the shaft lines, inhibit the starting of the engines, generators and sea water pumps.

CAUTION

Before reactivating the system, ensure that the shut-off valve is open.

DANGER

Before working on the sea water lines, inhibit the operation of the fed systems.