PAGE 8 • SPRING 2009 THE JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SAILING ASSOCIATION SPRING 2009 • PAGE 9
SAFETY AT SEA • HEAD-ACHES NO MORE
By Capt. Christoph A. W inter
O
n a recent, interesting trip (in the Chinese
proverb sense), I was again reminded that the
marine head, perhaps even more so than the
engine, is one of the most critical pieces of equipment
onboard. If it becomes unreliable or even fails, a trip can
turn into a nightmare with mutiny not far behind. Here
are some simple steps to keep your head healthy and a
few suggestions from the doctor in the Intensive Care
Unit should these attempts fail:
Most traditional heads depend on water
to lubricate all components and to
assure an uneventful emptying of the
bowl. Make sure the intake seacock and
the head-mounted valve (see location #1
in picture) are both open and the head
is primed with two to three pump strokes
C apt. W inter
Symptom: Water pumps into the bowl with every
of water. It will be too late ‘afterwards.’ No water coming
upstroke, but nothing is evacuated at the bottom, thus
in? “Stop right there and speak to someone with more
leading to gradual filling of the bowl (SRTASTSWME!).
experience,” - for brevity this instruction will be referred
This describes our recent character-building experience.
to as “SRTASTSWME,” throughout the rest of the article.
Since the top part of the pump is obviously working fine,
the problem is in the lower part. Component #2 is the
Didn’t eat it? Don’t flush it!
main seal upon which the bowl rests. The critical
The old advice of only flushing what has been eaten
component that failed in this scenario is the flapper
before still applies and can’t be over-emphasized!
valve (#3) at the bottom of the pump assembly. We had
Skippers need to remind everyone that nothing else
a case of ‘dry flush’ (remember that from the Bareboat
(except thin toilet paper in frugal quantities) should be
Test?), which clogged the entire drain line between main
flushed down the ‘wet’ head. The advertising for many
seal #2 and the flapper valve #3 at the bottom of the
products is utterly misleading as you’ll find out when the
pump. The only remedy is removal of pump from its base
product encounters the delicate innards of our heads!
and clearing of the obstruction bowl-side of the flapper.
Remember comment number one? Plenty of water as
Despite the initial shudder, the feeling of
administered by even, gentle, full pump strokes will
accomplishment should be rewarding enough!
remove almost anything under 2) from the bowl.
Something doesn’t look right? By all means
Symptom: Water pumps into the bowl with every
SRTASTSWME! After clearing the bowl, five to ten pump
upstroke and waste is pumped out of bowl but returns on
strokes will also clear the lines and deliver the wares to
next downward stroke. The culprit? Could it be the joker?
the temporary seclusion of the holding tank.
On first thought, it can’t be 1) or 2) with some level of
certainty. The joker valve (#4), a rubber half-sphere with
Life isn’t always perfect as we found out during a recent
a narrow slit, separates the output of the pump from the
charter trip. Understanding the boat’s plumbing system,
downstream plumbing lines. If the slit remains open
a subject usually covered
(perhaps due to a hair ball, Band-Aids or even-more
ad nauseam (no pun intended)
during the Bareboat Course, is important but, short of
exotic things) the pump re-cycles waste from the
this, here are a few pointers that might help in a bind.
plumbing lines, squeezing it through the flapper valve
(#3) and back into the bowl. Another case of
Troubleshooting 101
SRTASTSWME! Removal and cleaning of the joker valve
Symptom: No water coming into the bowl when the
usually exceeds the endurance of most charterers. The
pump handle is pulled upward after a few strokes. After
valve itself is usually quite ‘clean’ but the same can’t be
SRTASTSWME, the conclusions might be a) one of the
said about the backflow from the plumbing lines.
intake valves isn’t open (99 percent case); or b) the
Nonetheless, armed with a few paper towels, a tray and
intake is clogged or obstructed on the outside (less than
proper personal protection this, too, is solvable and leads
one percent case). Both issues are easily resolved. Other
to a deeper appreciation of the system as a whole.
intake-valve-related problems are extremely rare.
continued on page 19
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