Newport Shipyard - Newport, RI
In Rhode Island, USA, Newport Shipyard recently upgraded two sections of its docks by installing an Edson in-slip pumpout system. Each outfitted with Edson’s Platinum Series Peristaltic Pump, a radio on/off remote control, an integral flow meter and a 100ft (30m) pumpout hose assembly.
Before the installation, a pump-out boat or cart was sent to the slips but the size of the holding tanks for yachts docked at the marina ranges from 20 to 800 gallons (91 to 3,637 litres). With limited tank capacity in pumpout boats and carts, the marina staff were required to make multiple trips to successfully complete the job. The other pump-out method available was at a fixed pump-out station; which meant inconveniencing boaters and crew by making them leave their slips. To address the issues, Edson designed two inslip pump-out systems with dry disconnect hydrants that eliminate the pump-out boat, cart and the single fixed pump-out station.
Both pumpout systems run high-density polyethylene pipe (HDPE DR11) with dry disconnect hydrants throughout the marina. One system utilizes 13 hydrants and the other utilizes nine. The dry disconnect hydrants allow the pump-out hose assembly to be moved to numerous locations throughout the marina, without odor, drips or stains. They also ensure that unused valves are closed. The dry disconnect hydrant is made up of two interconnecting ball valves: a female valve attached to the hose and a male valve mounted to the dock. These valves can only be disconnected when they are completely closed, trapping any liquid in the hose or hydrant.
To reduce the amount of hose on the docks, Newport Shipyard ordered two 100ft (30m) pumpout hose assemblies that could be connected to any of the 21 dry disconnect hydrants. With a 100ft (30m) hose connected to a hydrant, the dock attendant can go directly to a boat and empty its holding tank. Each pumpout system contains a radio on/off remote control that allows the operator to turn the pump on and off remotely.
To ensure the marina is only charged for exact usage by the city, each pump is outfitted with an integral flow meter. This displays overall volume, batch volume and flow rate.
Marinas can also implement internet-based tracking and monitoring for both fixed stations and mobile pump-out equipment. The Edson solution can monitor, generate reports and send alerts for many different operations. ‘Pump On/Off,’ ‘Gallons Pumped,’ ‘Real Time Location’ (GPS), ‘Low Voltage,’ ‘Service Pump,’ ‘Power Outage,’ and more are all available. The system can monitor mobile units and ‘In State/Out of State’ use, ‘Bilge Alert,’ ‘Holding Tank Full,’ ‘Ignition On’ (boat motor), and even implement ‘Geofence’ alerts.’ Alerts can be sent to multiple email addresses and phone numbers via text message. Further customization of monitoring and reports is also available.
