|
Saving water on a small boat is
important. They just can't carry that much. Here are some ways to do it:
Use a dishwasher if possible. Typically, each crewmember washes his
own dinnerware after each meal. This means the sink is running more than
it really has to. Even washing all of the dishes at one time in a sink can
add up to a lot of rinse water flowing over the side. A dishwasher uses
only about eight gallons (approximate and variable) of water to do an entire
days' dishes. It also sanitizes them, making for a
cleaner galley.
Use front loading clothes washers. A front loading washing machine
may be more expensive (about $400 for a basic model) than a top loading model
but the water savings are worth it. A front loader uses only 40 percent of
the water of a top loader. Also, they can be used in any weather so they
don't need to be replaced as often as a top loader, which is susceptible to
damage if operated during rough seas.
Use pressure washers for washing down the boat. Washing the tug is
nearly a ritual activity of the deck crew. Most of the time, a garden hose
is used and, like while washing dishes, the rinse water needed can amount to a
lot of wasted water. A small electric pressure washer can very effectively
rinse a boat down using only a fraction of the water as a garden hose. It
also does a great job as a water broom, moving larger piles of dirt and grit
than a garden hose can.
The price of these three items combined is much less expensive than the fees for
water at state docks. The time the crew spends setting up hoses and
watering a tug can be better spent on useful maintenance. Not to mention
that if this tedious chore is reduced by a few times, it helps make a happy crew
and that means less complaining to the office. Think about it.
Submit your ideas and sites here.
Go back to the
Engine Room.
Home
|