Tech Talk
Boating and Marine Industry Tech Talk
Dead pump diagnosis: It was my fault
A little detective work uncovers the importance of using the right tools for the job
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I had wired the backup bilge pump in my center console fishing boat with what I thought were the highest quality materials. I used every trick I'd learned in more than 40 years of boat rigging to increase the setup's reliability. So why the heck did the pump only run on its internal float switch and not when the manual override switch was thrown?
My first step was to confirm that the pump's switch panel was working correctly. I was sure the fuse was OK, because the pump did run when the float switch activated. I put in a fresh fuse anyway, even though the original fuse checked out as OK. I was pleased to see that the silicone grease I had smeared on the fuse contacts had kept them in pristine condition.
AIS: the electronic eyes of navigation
The collision avoidance tool allows vessels to ‘see’ each other in all conditions, among other functions
Breaking down the ABCs of AIS
The data that AIS transmits is standardized by the International Telecommunications Union and adopted by the International Maritime Organization.
That means that all AIS units communicate the same data in the same format, assuring that we are all on the same page.
The carriage regulations for AIS
The following vessels must have a properly installed, operational, type-approved AIS, in accordance with Title 33, Code of Federal Regulations, 164.46:
Get charged up about battery maintenance
Sound procedures and the latest technology will help you get the most out of your boat’s batteries
If you take a look around your local marina this time of year, you’ll probably find stacks of batteries to be recycled. Battery Council International, the trade association for the lead-acid battery industry, reports that 85 percent of the batteries sold in the United States never make it to their five-year design life. That’s a high number of batteries that fail prematurely.
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