Transport fuel leak this AM on flatbed

[lunasea.ds]

Our friend has a 2000 Cruisers Express being transported. It's currently in Coco Beach Fl. The trucker called this AM to say there's gas in the front bilge but none in the back bilge. He can't move the boat.

How do we deal with it? How do we deal with the gas? There's 110 gallons. No one asked if there was fuel on the boat prior to transport.

[nes]

Sorry, I don't know what to tell you on dealing with the gas, but I suspect the paperwork the transport company had you sign stated no fuel on board. I just moved my boat from San Diego to Corpus Christi, and that was clearly stated on the paperwork before they would pick up my boat.

[jeremiason]

Originally Posted by lunasea.ds

How do we deal with it? How do we deal with the gas? There's 110 gallons. No one asked if there was fuel on the boat prior to transport.

As stated, most boat moving companies will tell you in advance, either in writing and/or verbally not to have Gasoline on board during transport.

The problem isn't the boat transport company, it is the inspection stations the driver will have to travel through with the boat smelling like gasoline. The local Highway Patrol are sure to stop him and write him a very large fine.

You friend needs to get in touch with the trucking company, not the driver, and work this out.

In all likelihood someone is going to have to remove the fuel in the bilge and tanks, before the boat will be moved anywhere.

If this is a large transport company I am sure they will have contacts for this type of problem. If not, contact a local boat yard and seen if they can do it.

The owner is going to also be responsible for all repairs and lay days, unless he can prove the transport company did not tell him to remove the gas and it was some how the transport company's fault the gas leaked from the boat fuel tanks into the bilge.

[bizzy]

crazy really,,,,,,,,,,less chance of a full tank going bang than an empty one . its the fumes that ignite not the liquid.

[jeremiason]

Originally Posted by bizzy

crazy really,,,,,,,,,,less chance of a full tank going bang than an empty one . its the fumes that ignite not the liquid.

It is not the fuel in the tanks it is the leaking gas and the fumes that accumulate in the bilge that are the problem....

This incident is one of the reasons that the transporters require all gasoline to removed from the vessel before transport.

[Randy]

Not with leaking fuel in the bilge. Is it gas or diesel?

[Hud3]

I'm surprised that the bilge pump didn't pump it out on the highway. That happened to a friend who bought a boat in RI and had it trucked to Virginia.

It was diesel fuel, not gasoline, so no real fire/explosion hazard. He had some negotiating to do with the State Police, but managed to continue the trip after some delay for cleanup.

[atoll]

siphon ,hose and 3x 44 gallon drums,job done................

[brutb]

I am on Merritt Island, Fl next to Cocoa Beach, Fl. PM me if you need some local assistance. Check your PM Box.

SV Iron Jack

[brutb]

Problem solved, boat on its way south.......

[lunasea.ds]

Indeed the boat has arrived to its final destination and now it's up to the insurances company to investigate the cause.

The fuel was gasoline. Any suggestions on how to properly clean gas residue in bilges and under the water tank would be appreciated

[Gust14882]

I've had to do this very thing myself on my old powerboat. Use a bilge sock or oil absorbing mats to soak up the worst of the remaining fuel. Then use commercially available (retail boating supply) bilge cleaner according to the directions. It may take several applications. Some scrubbing helps, if you can get to the deepest part of the bilge. The "dirty water" you end up with needs to be disposed of properly too. A lot of 'venting' while the socks/mats are in place helps to disappate fumes. I had a wood hull with glass outer shell, so it was probably tougher than cleaning a full fiberglass hull. Good Luck!