DG Marine Services Inc.

09/30/2026

Great post from ABYC, Important knowledge for all boaters!

WHY DOESN’T ABYC H-22 TREAT AN ELECTRIC BILGE PUMP AS AN EMERGENCY DEWATERING SYSTEM?

The simple answer is volume. Consider a powerboat with a 2,000 GPH engine room bilge pump. That rating is based on free flow with no head. At 4.5 feet of head, output drops to about 1,500 GPH. Allow another 15% for bends and fitting losses, and actual capacity is closer to 1,275 GPH.

Now imagine the boat strikes a submerged object, tears out the rudder, and leaves a 3 inch hole 2.5 feet below the waterline.

The theoretical inflow through that opening is approximately 280 gallons per minute, or 16,800 gallons per hour. Even using a 0.6 discharge coefficient to account for real world flow losses, the boat could still take on roughly 10,100 GPH, nearly eight times what the bilge pump can remove.

That is why ABYC H-22 addresses pumps intended to manage spray, rainwater, seepage, and normal bilge water accumulation, not major hull damage. Bilge pumps are important, but they are not a substitute for damage control, proper maintenance, and emergency preparedness.

09/15/2026

Underwriters prefer surveys done by SAMS-accredited surveyors. DG Marine survey reports are meticulously formatted to meet strict industry standards, ensuring seamless acceptance by major insurance providers.

Marine Surveys for Pleasure Crafts and Commercial fishing boats, proudly serving Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and PEI.

-SAMS® Accredited Marine Surveyor, AMS® #1438

- ABYC Certified Standards Advisor

-ABYC Certified Marine Electrical Advisor

09/09/2026

Providing professional marine surveys with detailed documentation and fast turnaround. Supporting buyers, owners, and insurers across Nova Scotia.

Providing Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island with certified boat/yachts surveys for insurance, purchases and appraisals needs

08/15/2026

Hard to forget what’s swimming around out there in NS waters!

When it comes to open waters, what appears on the surface won't tell you what's actually going on below!

This also applies to vessels. To get the true scoop on a boat, contact the Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors® SAMS® https://www.marinesurvey.org/

08/05/2026

It’s easy to trust a line, but harder to trust what it’s attached to! Thank you ABYC, for another great post!

WHY STRONG POINTS MATTER WHEN THE WEATHER TURNS

When conditions shift, the equipment that suddenly matters most isn’t the fancy electronics or the new upholstery, it’s the boats strong points. The fittings that take the load when the boat is working harder than you are.

ABYC H‑40, Anchoring, Mooring, and Strong Points defines a strong point as any fitting meant for mooring lines, anchor chains, rodes, or tow lines, and the standard sets expectations that match real world use. Each strong point has to be sized for two rodes or dock lines, because most situations don’t happen one line at a time. And both the fitting and the boat structure it is mounted to shall withstand twice the design load as defined in H-40. Additionally the design loads shall be applied in the actual direction the fitting will be used. Keep in mind, most windlasses and capstan are not rated as strong points thus there should be a strong point to transfer the load to once the boat is anchored.

It’s straightforward engineering, but it’s also the difference between a boat that stays put and one that goes wandering when the wind picks up.

For anyone looking beyond strong points, ABYC H‑40 covers the full ecosystem of load bearing hardware, including anchor rollers, chocks, windlasses, bow eyes, lifting systems, and attachment points for water toys and tow sports. ABYC members can access H‑40 for free in the ABYC Standards Library and ABYC Test Templates provide installers with a method to confirm installation tests.

Find resources at abycinc.org/standards/technical-toolkit.

08/04/2026

Call or text: 902 275-7717 or email: [email protected]

07/27/2026

Choosing an accredited surveyor for a standards-aligned survey means protecting yourself on all fronts. It helps you keep your boat shipshape, maintain its long-term value, and gives you the solid documentation needed to protect against insurance claim denials.

07/06/2026

Things that keep me on my toes when I conduct surveys: once I see something like this, I tell myself, "Alright… what else?"

06/22/2026

What’s wrong in this picture?
I surveyed a gasoline‑powered inboard where an audio amplifier had been mounted on a stringer, directly beside the engine, inside the gasoline machinery space.

Most audio equipment is not ignition‑protected. If electrical or electronic equipment is not clearly labeled “Ignition Protected,” then it isn’t, and it must not be installed in a gasoline engine compartment.

A single spark from the wrong component, in the wrong space, can ignite trapped gasoline v***r and turn a routine day on the water into a life‑changing disaster.
Installation choices matter.
In gasoline spaces, ignition‑protected equipment isn’t optional; it’s required for a very good reason.

06/15/2026

Knowledge is the best safety gear on board. A proper survey gives you the full picture.

A guide to what a professional marine survey really is — and how accreditation shapes the quality of the work you receive.