| A marine sanitation device (MSD) is very useful for a | | | | It is mostly used for bilge pump intake and discharge, |
| voyage of any length, and is required for any vessel | | | | sink, shower and scupper drains, and is appropriate for |
| with an installed toilet traveling in inland waterways. | | | | potable water tank fill as well as most sanitation |
| Some MSDs treat raw sewage so that it can be | | | | applications. |
| directly released from the vessel without polluting the | | | | The Shields Sanitation Hose has a EPDM tube and |
| environment. However, certain states have strict | | | | cover, is wire reinforced and has two fabric plies. This |
| no-discharge zones (usually where there is no | | | | makes for a kink resistant and very flexible hose. It is |
| navigable outlet to the sea) so make sure to check | | | | resistant to toilet chemicals, ands holds up well against |
| the laws with the local Coast Guard or regulatory | | | | ozone, saltwater and heat. It is best used for |
| agency before your voyage. | | | | connecting toilet to holding tank, and from holding tank |
| A crucial element of any MSD is the sanitation hose. | | | | to pump out point. It is super resistant to odor |
| There are many options to choose from when | | | | permeation. |
| installing a new system, and this article discusses some | | | | Both the Shields Vac Extra Heavy Duty/Commercial |
| of the various hosing options and their respective | | | | Grade Hose and The Super PVC Sanitation Hose are |
| qualities. It is important to choose hosing based upon | | | | composed of PVC with a vinyl helix. The latter is not |
| your individual needs: there is no one overarching best | | | | appropriate for potable water use because it |
| choice. Make sure that any hosing you choose is | | | | incorporates an anti-fungus agent to help control odor. |
| clearly marked, "Sanitation." | | | | It is best used for transference from toilet to holding |
| Sanitation hosing serves several purposes. It must | | | | tank, and holding tank to pump out point, but the former |
| effectively transfer sewage from toilet to holding tank, | | | | can be used for bilge pump intake and discharge, |
| holding tank to pump out point and to any vents. | | | | potable water, drains and sanitation intakes vents and |
| Clearly, odor permeation is highly undesirable, so | | | | pump outs. This hose (the Shields Vac Extra Heavy |
| carefully research your options to determine which will | | | | Duty/Commercial Grade Hose) is used for below |
| work best under your specific conditions. Also, no | | | | waterline connections. |
| matter what hosing you choose, a poor installation will | | | | There are two great options for pressurized water |
| negate it's benefits. There must be no kinks, loops or | | | | system supplies (hot and cold) that are also effective |
| dips in the line, and all connections must be tight. Unless | | | | wash down hoses for pump connections and head |
| specifically labeled, do not use alcohols, anti-freeze, | | | | intakes. They both have a polyester braid |
| petro-chemicals or solvents in sanitation hosing. All | | | | reinforcement with a clear extra heavy wall FDA |
| hosing has a set maximum operating temperature (for | | | | formula vinyl. The Heavy-Duty Polyester Reinforced |
| both hot and cold temperatures) before it breaks | | | | PVC Tubing is extremely kink resistant and the All |
| down. If you are in a location with extreme weather, | | | | Clear Polyester Reinforced Red Tracer PVC Tubing |
| pay close attention to this detail. | | | | has a 250# psi burst pressure and can also be used |
| 'Shields Hoses' has many excellent options to choose | | | | for drain lines. |
| from, including two options for your potable water | | | | The Trident Marine line carries many excellent choices |
| needs, as distinct from your waste-water system. All | | | | as well: |
| have either a full lifetime or partial warranty against | | | | The Trident Sani Shield Sanitation Hose offers a very |
| odor permeation and all are flexible enough to be bent | | | | thick tube and cover that not only resists odor |
| into a tight radius. | | | | permeation but holds up to winterizing anti-freeze. It |
| The Poly X Sanitation Hose combines the elasticity of | | | | employs helical wire and 2 ply reinforcement to |
| rubber with the permeation resistance of polyurethane | | | | provide increased flexibility bend radius. It is not to be |
| to create a excellent holistically sound option. It requires | | | | used for any potable water transference. |
| no external fixtures, but slips onto and around most | | | | Other options offer anti-bacterial thermoplastic |
| fittings. It is easy to clean and resists abrasion well. It is | | | | formulation, or heavy-duty smooth white vinyl that |
| used mostly for transference from head to holding | | | | provides excellent resistance to odor permeation while |
| tank and holding tank to pump out. | | | | remaining safe for potable water. Some hosing can be |
| The Vac Extra Heavy Duty/FDA hose is composed | | | | fitted directly over fixtures, and if necessary, affixed |
| of PVC with a vinyl helix. It is rated for full vacuum and | | | | more sturdily with marine cement. Others require cuffs |
| is resistant to mild chemicals, permeation and saltwater. | | | | to provide a tight connection. |