Disinfection, air conditioning, and water treatment on board: keeping your boat healthy

Decks exposed to the elements, cabins, toilets, and kitchens are high-risk areas for the proliferation of microbes. Specialists recommend:

• Cleaning surfaces daily: on a boat, the confined space encourages the accumulation of dirt, so it is advisable to clean every day to prevent bacteria and mold. Natural disinfectants such as white vinegar can be used to preserve the marine environment.

• Disinfect all living areas: decks, door handles, electronic equipment, and storage areas should be disinfected regularly. Cabins and bathrooms require special attention to prevent the spread of germs.

• Use products suitable for the marine environment: choose eco-friendly marine disinfectants to avoid damaging materials and polluting the water.

• Treat textiles: cushions, curtains, and carpets can act as reservoirs for germs. Specific fabric sprays or regular washing with antibacterial products are recommended.

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Poor indoor air quality can cause allergies and infections. There are several solutions:

• Ozone treatment: ozone gas eliminates viruses, bacteria, fungi, and destroys odors. Used between trips, it disinfects carpets, curtains, and mattresses and purifies the atmosphere. The procedure involves placing an ozone generator in the closed cabin, running it for 15 to 45 minutes depending on the volume, then allowing the ozone to convert to oxygen for about 40 minutes before ventilating. Ozone can also be injected into water to create a disinfectant solution that complies with virucidal and bactericidal standards, with no impact on the environment.

• Air purifiers or aerosol disinfectants: these help reduce airborne particles and purify the air in enclosed spaces on the boat.

A marine air conditioning system ensures comfort on board, but it can become a source of contamination if neglected. Here are the key points:

• Use certified service centers: in the event of a breakdown or incorrect installation, it is advisable to contact specialists for repairs and maintenance in order to benefit from original parts and appropriate technologies.

• Check the refrigerant charge: too little or too much refrigerant can prevent the air conditioning from working properly. Systems should be recharged or readjusted at least once a year.

• Clean or replace the filters: Contamination of the indoor unit filters is a common cause of failure. Simply remove the filters, wash them with soapy water, let them dry, and reinstall them.

• Clean the heat exchanger: Dust and pollen form an insulating film on the exchanger, which must be cleaned regularly with a steam cleaner or high-pressure jet.

• Consult a professional for damaged parts: Failure of the fan, compressor, or sensors must be repaired by technicians.

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Fresh water is precious at sea and must be managed carefully. Contaminated water can have an unpleasant taste and contain pathogenic germs. Here's how to keep your water safe:

• Clean and fill the tank with clean water: the essential condition for obtaining drinking water on board is to fill the tank with good quality water and keep the walls and pipes free of organisms. Heat promotes the proliferation of a biofilm where bacteria and legionella attach themselves; periodic chemical cleaning of the tanks is necessary.

• Filtration and pre-filtration: coarse polypropylene fiber or activated carbon filters trap sand and particles, but allow bacteria to pass through. They must be combined with chemical disinfection or sterile filtration. Installing a sterile filter in the pipe retains particles smaller than one micrometer and reduces the risk of contamination during filling or at the point of use. Carbon filters must be placed before sterile filters in order to retain large particles.

•Add a silver-based disinfectant: Chlorine-free additives, such as silver-based solutions, can preserve water in the tank for several months. For example, Aqua Clean AC is a liquid additive that can be poured into the tank to preserve drinking water for up to six months; 100 ml of solution treats approximately 1,000 liters of water.

• Opt for UV-C LED treatment: modern systems such as Oji Nautic instantly disinfect water using UV-C LEDs. This technology destroys the DNA of viruses, bacteria, parasites, and spores, eliminating 99.99% of pathogens without altering the taste of the water. It is an environmentally friendly alternative to chlorine, works automatically when water flows, and significantly reduces the use of plastic bottles.

• Monitor pressure and pump: sterile filtration requires a powerful pump (up to 3 bar) and pipes capable of withstanding this pressure.

• Plan maintenance: establish a “boat maintenance” schedule that includes daily cleaning, weekly disinfection, and seasonal equipment maintenance (air conditioning, watermaker, water tank).

• Adopt water-saving habits: practice the “navy shower” (wet yourself, turn off the water, soap up, then rinse) to save resources and reduce the amount of wastewater.

• Choose eco-friendly solutions: opt for biodegradable, phosphate-free products to avoid polluting the water, and chemical-free water treatment systems such as UV-C or ozone.

• Manage waste: store waste on board, compost organic waste if possible, and bring recyclable materials ashore.

• Don't forget hidden areas: disinfect ventilation systems, corners, and surfaces under furniture.

• Call in the professionals: for marine air conditioning, air duct maintenance, and water purification system installation, it is best to rely on experts. Regular maintenance by specialists ensures safety, extends the life of equipment, and ensures optimal yacht comfort.

Would you like to install an efficient marine air conditioning system, optimize water purification on board, or entrust the disinfection of your boat to professionals? JMA Yachting, specialists in comfort and health on board, will assist you with all your projects.

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Our teams will advise you on the choice of equipment, carry out maintenance and disinfection of your installations, and help you improve your well-being on board.

Contact us today to take advantage of our tailor-made services and sail with confidence!