Albemarle 290 EXPRESS FISHERMAN, Owner'S Manual

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290 XF
58
High Water Alarm
Additional automatic switches, located near each bilge pump,
sound an alarm and activate a light at the helm if the bilge
water level rises above the normal operating range of the bilge
pump automatic switches. The alarm automatic switches are
connected to the batteries. They are protected by “push to
reset” circuit breakers located on the battery switch circuit
breaker panel and remain activated when the battery switches
are in the “OFF” position and the batteries are connected.
These switches should be tested periodically by turning the
knob on the side of the switch until the alarm sounds.
7.4 Emergency Pump Out System
(Optional)
There is an optional emergency pump out system located
in the intake line for the starboard engine that enables the
operator to use the starboard engine seawater pump to remove
water from the bilge in an emergency. A Tee fitting in the
intake line between the sea strainer and the starboard engine
is connected to a tube that extends close to the bottom of the
bilge. There is a ball valve on the tube that can be opened to
allow the engine pump to consume accumulated water in the
bilge. This valve should always be completely closed during
normal operation.
If the boat should develop a leak serious enough to overcome
the bilge pump system, the emergency pump out system can
be engaged to assist the bilge pumps. Since engines use a
large quantity of seawater to cool the heat exchanger and
exhaust system, the engine seawater pump can remove much
more water than the bilge pumps and could save the vessel
from sinking.
The following steps must be followed exactly to engage the
emergency pump out system:
• Turn off the engines and enter the engine room.
• Assess the flow of water into the bilge and confirm that
the bilge pumps are not able to keep up with the water
entering the bilge. Also make sure that there is enough
water in the bilge to cover the emergency pickup tube by
at least 2 inches.
• Once you have determined that you need the emergency
pump out, turn off the thru-hull valve for the starboard
engine located in the engine compartment bilge, just aft
of the starboard engine. Turn the valve on the emergency
pick up tube on.
• Return to the bridge deck and start both engines.
Forward Bilge Pump, Bilge Pump Automatic Switch
High Water Alarm Automatic Switch
• Leave the starboard engine in neutral and use the port
engine to control the speed and direction of the boat.
Apply just enough power to maintain control.
• Advance the starboard engine throttle to 1500 RPM and
have a crew member closely monitor the water level in
the bilge.
Note: Main engines consume a large volume of water
to cool the heat exchanger and exhaust system
and there is a good chance that the engine will
evacuate the bilge quickly. Additionally, the
seawater pump impeller will be damaged if it
is allowed to run dry for more than a couple of
seconds. Therefore, the bilge must be monitored
closely and the starboard engine shut down before
the pump runs dry.
• Use the engine throttle to control the volume of water
being discharged. It may be possible to reduce the engine
RPM and maintain the water level as the it gets within 2
or 3 inches of the bottom of the intake tube.
• Turn the starboard engine off if the water level in the
bilge gets within one inch of the bottom of the emergency
pick up tube. Restart the engine as necessary to control
the water.
• If possible, have another crew member find the problem
and try to reduce the flow of water into the boat.
• If the problem is found and corrected, turn off both
engines and enter the engine room.
• Close the valve the emergency pickup tube and open the
main thru-hull valve for the starboard engine.