2012 Boater Safety Classes in Steuben County
STEUBEN COUNTY MARINE PATROL & INDIANA D. N. R.
| DATE | LOCATION | SPONSOR | CONTACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| June | Hamilton Fish & Game Club | Lunch by-Hamilton Lake Marine | Jim 488-2369 |
| June | Chapel of the Lakes | Lunch by-Dry Dock Marine | Dick 833-6875 Jim 833-4561 Bill 833-1019 |
| June | Chapel of the Lakes | Jim Kidd 833-2205 | |
| July | Lake George | Lunch by Rose Carmer | Rose Carmer 316-6812 |
Classes are from 8 AM-3PM.-Lunch and classes are free. Steuben County Marine Patrol-LT. Jim Kidd 833-2205
E10 Fuel NOT Safe for Marine Engines
In a move to help the environment – but will possibly cause headaches for boaters is using E10 fuel blends which is now being sold widespread at public gas stations. It is an unnecessary and costly hardship that consumers seem to only become knowledgeable of E10 ethanol blend fuels after the damage has been done to their engines.
Ethanol is a sustainable replacement for fossil fuels, created by fermenting sugar or converted starch from corn. Blended with gasoline, ethanol boosts octane, creating cleaner combustion without additives.
On the boater’s side, ethanol has a greater capacity for water absorption, which could mean trouble for boaters. Temperature fluctuations from leaving a vessel unused or in storage cans cause condensation within the gas tank, which the ethanol will then absorb. Marine problems are caused when ethanol absorbs excess moisture from the water. This can cause fuel to degrade in less than a month and, in rare cases, the ethanol may even separate from gasoline. Excessive deposits can develop in hotter burning engines, decreasing fuel economy, reducing power output and potentially causing power head failure. If phase separation occurs, the fuel tank should be pumped out, cleaned, and fresh fuel pumped in. Do not try to re-use phase separated gasoline. Some fear that exposure to ethanol-blend gas can deteriorate fuel systems.
Frequently inspect fuel lines, and promptly replace any that show leakage, softening, hardening, swelling or corrosion. Ethanol blended fuel shouldn’t be mixed with older gas. Boaters should make sure their tanks are dry, clean and free of water before fueling with an ethanol blend. Mixing regular gasoline with ethanol can create a thick, non-combustible substance that will clog filters and shut down an engine. Ethanol also acts like a cleaning agent and can loosen varnish buildup in an engine or tank. On top of all this, ethanol might be a worse pollutant than gas. A new study conducted by Stanford University suggests that burning ethanol creates more smog and ozone, causing about 200 more deaths from respiratory problems each year.
Dick Spake/Safety Director
Accident Reports Boating Accidents on Lake James since the Year 2000
Major Sam Purvis of the Ind. Dept. of Natural Resources sent me this information on accidents resulting in over $200.00 damage since 2000.
Reported accidents over the last five years on Lake James
2000-5 , 2001-3, 2002-2, 2003-2, 2004-1.
Personal watercraft were involved 13 times and 8 boats in various types of accidents, five injuries occurred on PWC’s and 1 skier was injured, Twelve of the accidents were caused by driver inattention, careless or reckless driving or inexperience. One caused by mechanical failure.
Citations were issued in 3 incidents and 1 reportedly caused by alcohol usebut wasn’t reported until 3 days later.