Abstract: The invention is directed to an adapter used in a marine fluid handling system to prevent thread mismatch between a thru-hull fitting and in-line valve. The adapter includes a head with a male NPT thread and a bore with a female NPS thread. The adapter is threaded to a thru-hull fitting with a male NPS thread that extends through a hole in a boat hull. The adapter is also attached to an in-line valve having a female NPT thread. The valve may be mechanically fastened to the adapter to prevent thread disengagement. When the valve fails, the valve is easily removed from the adapter that remains attached to the boat hull, and a replacement valve is attached to the adapter.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for estimating blockage within a liquid strainer used in a marine vessel is provided. The apparatus includes a sensor for measuring the rate of liquid flow through the strainer and a sensor for measuring the operational speed of a device utilizing the strained liquid. The apparatus also includes a control panel and central processing unit configured to receive at least one measurement from the flow sensor and receive at least one measurement from the speed sensor. The central processing unit then compares the relationship of the measured liquid flow rate and measured device speed to a predetermined clean strainer reference relationship of liquid flow rate and device speed at an equivalent device speed to determine the degree of strainer blockage. Visible and audible indicators are actuated when blockage becomes excessive.

Abstract: A valve having a valve body, a rotary valve member, a valve handle, and a selectively repositionable valve handle stop member. The valve body includes first and second openings into which the stop member may be installed. The openings are provided on opposite sides of the lower end of the valve handle such that, when the stop member is installed in the first opening, the valve handle is rotated in a first direction between a first orientation, which corresponds to the valve member being full open, and a second orientation, which corresponds to the valve member being full closed. Alternatively, when the stop member is installed in the second opening, the valve handle is rotated in a second, opposite direction to move the valve member from the full open to the full closed position. When no stop member is installed, the valve member is sequentially moved from the full closed position, to the full open position, and then to the full closed position as the valve handle traverses a 180° arc.

Abstract: A marine vessel waste treatment system includes a tank for receiving successive charges of liquid and solid waste material. A water conduit conducts heated water from the vessel's engine through the tank to heat the contents thereof above the level at which coliform bacteria can survive, thereby reducing the count of such bacteria to a level at which it is safe and acceptable to discharge the material into a waterway. A macerator pump is mounted in the tank for operation only after the temperature within the tank is sufficiently high. An electrically operated heating element is also mounted in the tank to accelerate the treatment of waste and can be used alone when desired. A thermal switch at the waste material input inhibits discharge if a fresh charge of material is received when the system is ready to discharge, thereby preventing discharge into the environment of untreated material.

Abstract: A valve apparatus for a marine vessel has a housing with first, second, and third ports and a valve member within the housing. The housing is mounted to the hull of the vessel with the first port communicating with the body of water outside of the vessel. The third port is connected to the cooling system of an engine in the vessel and the second port is closed by a quick-release plug. The valve member is movable to open and close communication with the outside. During normal operation, water is drawn through the structure into the engine cooling system and is discharged overboard. In an emergency, the plug can be removed and the valve member moved to a 90.degree. position in which communication with the outside is closed, allowing the engine to draw water from within the hull and discharge it overboard. The structure can also be used with a service adapter for engine flushing and other maintenance.