Several news stories this week refer to the RNLI saving fuel !

The RNLI estimates its annual fuel bill this year will be up 100%, from £1.5m for 2007 to £3m for 2008.

Some lifeboats at top speed uses 360 litres of fuel an hour but last year marine diesel cost 38p/litre, now it has shot up to 72.4p. Fuel efficiency has suddenly become critical.

Although at top speed (24 knots) the lifeboat uses 360 litres an hour, at 20 knots, with the engine below 2000rpm, the rate drops to below 100 litres an hour.

Coxswains and crew members are reported to be undergoing training in fuel conservation and learn to drop-back on the throttle when on a non-emergency operation.

Just hot on the topic of where can one find biodiesel in the UK, the futuristic looking boat ‘Earthrace‘ visited Weymouth harbour 19-20th August. Chatting to one of the crew members (Hi Kathryn - who is 100% Aussie not Kiwi!), their official sponsors SGC Energy  made the arrangements for 12 refuelling points around the world. SGC Energy have 2 Biodiesel plants near Lisbon, Potugal.

Hopefully www.marinefuelpoint.com can give mariners a helping hand in locating suppliers in the future!

As November 1^st 2008 approaches and the end to UK Red Diesel derogation for leisure marine, yacht owners are sharing an interest in alternative fuels one being Biodiesel.  What are the benefits for boat owners and who will supply it?

Biodiesel refers to a non-petroleum-based diesel fuel made vegetable oils or animal fats.

There are many advantages of Biodiesel as a marine fuel

·         Biodiesel serves as a drop-in replacement for petro diesel — no conversion necessary.

·         Biodiesel when used in boats causes less water pollution – there is less smoke and it is safer to store.

·         Biodiesel production uses a third less energy than petroleum diesel production.

·         High lubricity extends engine life

·         Higher cetane rating (46-62) almost always smoothes engine operation

·         Biodiesel can be blended with petroleum-based diesel at any ratio

·         Biodiesel contains essentially no sulfur or aromatics. Blends as low as B20 have reduced soot exhaust by 83%. Biodiesel removes deposits in tanks and fuel systems left by petro diesel.

·         Cheaper than the current red diesel prices of 88pence per litre even before the additional 54.94p in duty to be added from 1^st Nov 2008.

Disadvantages

·         Doesn’t store as well as petro diesel

·         Possibility of blocked filters as it cleans the lines out and failed rubber seals as Biodiesel is a better solvent than mineral diesel

·         Blends of more than 5% (B5) to 95% (B95) may invalidate engine warranties

·         No Bio Diesel suppliers and blending facilities in marinas or boatyards at present.

Conclusion

Whilst at present there are no direct suppliers of biodiesel for boat owners, there are plans for the 2009 Portland Marina in Dorset to supply biodiesel and several marinas advise they have spare tank capacity to store another grade of oil.

A recent farm-based bio-diesel plant in North Wales has been reported as receiving interest from yacht and boat owners already. BML Biofuels, based at Llanfihangel GM, near Corwen is the first plant in Wales - and only the second in Britain - to extract oil by cold pressing oilseed rape (OSR).  At the resulting cost 45p-55p/litre for the first 2,500 litres plus tax, it’s then no surprise BML Biofuels has already received maritime inquiries as far afield as Portsmouth since its official June opening.

With the higher cost or red diesel and a government under pressure to meet renewable fuel targets Biodiesel is likely to become a key ingredient in the refueling of motor yachts over  the next decade.

www.MarineFuelPoint.com

Following the fall in the cost of a barrel of oil, waterside fuel suppliers reported a decrease in pump price with the average price of red diesel at 0.82p (13 fuel points) and petrol £1.35 (3 fuel points)

Light, sweet crude for September delivery rose $3.14 to US$116.26 a barrel halting a recent decline in price. Oil’s advance stopped a month-long slide that took crude $35 below its July high of $147.27.

 A protest by boat owners was organised yesterday due to grave concern over soaring prices of red diesel with the governments plans to withdraw red diesel derogation from 1st November. While the European Union is recommends a lesser ampount of 22p per litre price increase in the cost of red diesel, the British government is insisting on charging the full amount of duty an increase of more than double. The higher charges are expected to come into force on November 1.

13 boats were involved in the Fuel Protest at Medway and had been timed to ensure there would be no disruption to commercial activities on the waterway.

From the Humber Cruising Association three boats set sail from Grimsby Dock to oppose the planned increase in duty on red diesel by the Government.

If your want to tell us of any other protest action feel free to drop us a line?

Web Team www.marinefuelpoint.com

Marine red diesel in some areas of the U.K. last week was around 88p per litre and petrol at 125p per litre at waterside refuelling points, whilst marine LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) is being sold at 44p per litre and has not followed the rapid increase Petrol and Diesel have over the last year. Is it the time to reconsider converting to marine LPG?

Advantages

• After taking into account the cost of conversion over a few years’ savings can be made. Hamble Marine Ltd claim a typical 250hp 5.7litre V8 engine consumes fuel at around 80lit/hr at full throttle and around 50 to 60 lit/hr while cruising. The cost of conversion (from £3,000 for a single petrol engine) can be recouped in about 100 hours.
• LPG has a low risk of pollution and pilferage.
• Emissions are more environmentally friendly than petrol and red diesel
• By retaining the fuel system the cruising range is extended and allows for dual fuel options.
• Refuelling is quick.

Disadvantages.

• At present there are a limited number of facilities providing marine LPG. The author is aware of one in Wales and five in southern U.K. so planning a cruise along the coast could be prohibitive due to lack of LPG or Petrol refuelling points.
• Due to the technical level of expertise and training required not all facilities supplying marine LPG can also provide the fitting and conversion expertise required.
• Most 4-stroke engines can be converted but not all.
• Safety is still a concern when talking to potential converters although that does not appear to have stopped countries like Holland and Australia who are quickly adopting auto-gas. Included in the conversion the electronic management system constantly monitors the engine bay and fuel storage tank areas for any leaks and will shut down the system before they reach a dangerous level.
• Specialist annual safety inspection required and test by approved engineers.

Conclusion

If one looks at current waterside petrol prices alone it would seem worthwhile for boat owners to reconsider converting to marine LPG where practical. A shortage of boat LPG refuelling points and conversion facilities at present will however constrain the expansion of marine LPG around the U.K. coast.

This week was marked by a mix of prices reported due to cheaper new deliveries of red diesel being recieved at some waterside refuelling points. Red diesel prices varied between 78p to 97 pence per litre. Of 10 fuel points surveyed average price was 88 pence per litre, further decline in the coming week forecast by suppliers.