UCD SAC Boats

UCD SAC has three boats available for use by its members. The first boat is a 6.5m Tornado RIB, she is called Adastra and is capable of comfortably carrying 10 divers. Our second boat is a 6m Ribcraft RIB called Barramundi and can comfortably carry 8 divers. Our final boat is a 4m Zodiac inflatable called Solea.

Adastra comes with a 150hp Mercury engine and is capable of speeds in excess of 35knots. Barramundi comes with a 90hp Mercury engine and is capable of speeds in excess of 30knots. Both boats are fully equipped with GPS, depth sounder, marine VHF radio, compass and navigation lights.

Both boats also carry first aid box, oxygen & oxygen regulator, flares and tool kit. Each RIB has two anchors.

Boats are at all times crewed by a trained CFT Coxwain.

UCD SAC members who progress to do the CFT Coxn course will train on one of these boats.

All queries in relation to boats, use of boats and boat maintenance should be addressed to the Boat Officer.

UCDSAC Compressor Guidelines

This figure shows the compressor with some of the parts labeled.

Next time you are at the compressor take a close look at it. If you are curious about some aspect of it or are not sure about something, ask someone. There are plenty of people in the club who would be happy to explain how the compressor works to you.

Setting up

Take care when as to where you place the compressor when setting up. The compressor should be sited on level ground away from crowds and other non divers.

Watch out for car exhausts and other sources of fumes. The most important consideration when setting up is to position the compressor so that only clean air can enter through the air intake hose.

So to ensure clean air:

• Air intake should be 2m off the ground
• Air intake should be upwind of the compressor
• Exhaust should be downwind of the compressor
• The intake hoses should always be kept well clear of the compressor and should always be on the opposite site of the compressor to the
  exhaust.

Regularly check the wind direction. If moving the hoses to a different place, shut off the compressor first. If the wind changes the compressor must be repositioned to account for the changed wind direction. Do not just move the intake hose. The exhaust should always be downwind of the rest of the compressor. If exhaust fumes are passing over the compressor, they could still make their way into a bottle if the hose fits poorly or has a leak, regardless of where the air intake is situated.

Starting the compressor

Check for oil, both engine oil and compressor oil. While ordinary engine oil can be used in the engine, only compressor grade oil is to be used in the compressor part. We use Anderol in Atilla and Hannibal. If you are not sure what you are doing, do not put oil in the compressor.

Check the number of hours on the compressor log-sheet. The compressor filters are changed every 50 hours. If there are more than 50 hours since the last filter change, don't use the compressor. Inform the equipment officer that the filter needs to be changed.

To start the compressor, first open all the filter bleed valves. Turn on the 'on' switch, adjust the choke and petrol and set the throttle to full. Start the compressor by pulling the pull chord.

Reduce the throttle and let the engine warm up. After a couple of minutes increase to full throttle again.

It is a good idea to let the compressor run for a few minutes before putting on the first bottles. This will expel any moisture or dust that may have accumulated since the last time it was used.

When the compressor has warmed up, close the valves and let the pressure build up in the compressor. Run the compressor until the pressure reaches 220 bar or the overflow starts to blow. Don't put bottles on until the compressor reaches full pressure.

Note the start time in the compressor log

Putting bottles on and taking bottles off the compressor

This picture shows the process of putting a bottle onto the compressor. First tighten the a-clamp. Then make sure the bleed valve is closed. The open the bottle and open the compressor at the same time. You should notice a pressure change on the compressor gauge as the air equalizes between the compressor and the bottle.

This picture shows the process of removing a bottle from the compressor. First close the compressor air supply and the bottle at the same time. Then open the bleed valve to release the pressure from the tubes. Next open the a-clam and remove the bottle.

When changing two bottles, both bottles need to be turned off before a new bottle is put on. The pressure will equalize between two bottles on the compressor at the same time so always take off both full bottles before putting on empty bottles.

When running the compressor, bleed the valves at the filters at regular intervals(every 15 minutes). Both compressors now have 4 of these valves.

Full bottles are marked using insulation tape on the pillar valve. The color of the tape indicates which compressor was used to fill the bottle. We use blue tape for Atilla and black tape for Hannibal.

Stopping the compressor

Take off any bottles and turn off the on switch. Open the valves and let the pressure drain from the compressor.

Store the compressor with some pressure left in it. Close the valves with 30bar left in the compressor. This stops wet atmospheric air moving through the compressor when it is not being used.

Let the compressor cool down before putting the air intake hose back and storing the compressor.

Other Notes

Air filters should be changed every 50 hours. However do not try to change the filter if you are not sure how. Check with the equipment officer before attempting to change a filter.

Always wear ear protection when operating the compressor.

If you're not sure about anything related to running the compressor, ask somebody who knows.

If there is any doubt about an air-fill, bleed the bottles. Air is cheap and there's no point in taking any risks.

Do not fill nitrox bottles. Only club members who are suitably qualified an top up nitrox bottles. Check the club nitrox guidelines for more information.

© 2004 Aidan Finn