Avoid the diesel bug this winter

With microbial fuel contamination, commonly known as the diesel bug, becoming increasingly more problematic within the superyacht sector, Conidia Bioscience talks about why the winter season is the perfect time to update your fuel regime.

Gerry Herman, technical manager of Conidia Bioscience explains, “For the yachting industry, if the vessel is not going to be used through the winter, now is the ideal time to test the contents of the fuel tanks. The traditional advice of filling the tanks to the brim to avoid condensation in the airspace is still valid even with today’s fuels.

A sample from the lowest point in the tank, once tested, will enable the operator to decide if a fuel treatment should be added. If significant free water is found in the sample then more fluid should be drained off from the lowest point until no water is evident. Bugs need water to breed, draining off the water and any hazy layer should be part of every skippers autumn laying up routine.

Testing the water / fuel sample from the tank will allow sensible decisions regarding additives to be made. The indiscriminate addition of biocide treatments is bad practice. Overdosing of biocide is very bad for the engine fuel pump and injectors, under dosing can encourage the existence of resistant strains. Much like us taking a daily antibiotic!

The only way to ensure the vessels fuel tanks will be ready for action next season is to act now.”

The FUELSTAT® resinae PLUS kit is Conidia’s latest onsite fuel test with the ability to detect the diesel bug within ten minutes. There are no special skills required to use the test. It’s never been simpler to regularly test your fuel.

 

For more information please visit Conidia Bioscience Ltd.

Superyacht News
March 28, 2024
Tried & Tested - Best Yacht Mattresses: Product Review
Tried & Tested - Best Yacht Mattresses: Product Review

In the realm of maritime luxury, the quest to offer yacht charter guests the perfect night's sleep has become an art form, one which luxury bed and linen supplier, CC Design, has fully committed to.

By Yachting Pages
March 15, 2023
Best Yacht Crew Jackets: Product Review
Best Yacht Crew Jackets: Product Review

A jacket completes any crew member's uniform so it's an important garment to get right. In this Tried & Tested, Sea Design pits eight popular jackets against one another to determine which one is best for superyacht crew in 2023.

By Nathan Bees
April 19, 2023
iAQUA Sea Scooters: Product Review
iAQUA Sea Scooters: Product Review

iAQUA creates high-performance, technologically advanced underwater scooters. In this Tried & Tested, a team of experienced testers have rated and reviewed the AquaDart Pro and AquaDart Nano series to reveal the stand-out iAQUA sea scooter.

By Holly Sanderson

Finished reading? Now find your perfect supplier.

Search our industry-leading directory for over 20,000 superyacht suppliers, providers and marinas.

Search now