Sea Chest venting

[RDB]

I am just wondering about the need to vent a sea chest. Is this so that any air that does get trapeed can escape? Any info on this subject would be great. Cheers

[FAST FRED]

If the sea chest were deep enough to have the top above the normal waterline , a vent might not become a danger.

Installed below the WL the vent should be a valve AND a pipe cap.

FAST FRED

[jehardiman]

Yes a sea chest vent line is to allow the venting of air out of the sea chest when undocking and such. Getting an air lock in the MSW pump really degrades machinery life ;). On large vessels, most are also attached to the LP air system or fire and flushing main to allow debris to be blown off the strainer.

[RDB]

Thanks you both for the help. Thats a good tip on the flushing, I was wondering about that.