Safety First

The FUELBOTE has been in productive and safe use for 11 years without complaint or safety incident and can be trailered with a typical 1 ton HD pick- up truck to any approved waterway. The standard model 25 vessel is 25 feet long, 8 ½ feet wide and can carry 590 gallons of fuel. The barge is built of 304 stainless steel and has a 75 ft powered EP rated hose reel and unique 13 foot or longer retractable stabilizers( Ground Tackle). A standard Mercury outboard or equivalent powers the vessel at 9 mph and has bow and aft thrusters for easy and safe maneuverability. Gross weight with a full load on trailer is approximately 15,000 lbs at 590 gallon.

The vessel can be easily launched, piloted and pulled out by anyone possessing moderate boating skills after a passing the FUELBOTE course on tankerman safety (based on The River School tankerman training manuals approved by the USCG) and operational/maintenance training. A Captains license is preferred and our preferred template for a Captain is a military veteran of the USCG, Navy or other branch with fire safety, first aid and mechanical training who is seeded a percentage of ownership.

The self-powered barge is typically refueled at wholesale land based racks. The same locations where DOT approved tanker trucks refill for distribution of fuel. The vessel and trailer conform to all Department of Transportation rules and regulations. The onboard tank is a DOT 406 stainless steel specifically designed for

this vessel’s purpose. This allows the transport of a loaded vessel on United States highways and roads by a person possessing a simple CDL License with Hazardous Material classification. The testing and licensing for this classification done by individual states but is recognized by all states.

  • The vessel has 3 layers of hull or barrier to fuel in excess of the 2 required by the US CFR’s and includes a containment reservoir that exceeds the tank volume by more than 50%.
  • The vessel has met all USCG inspection needs and was physically inspected by USCG LT Officer Felix Rivera in Clearwater FL and was approved for use as an exempt vessel at the time.
  • The vessel conforms with all NFPA codes
  • The vessel carries environmental clean-up on board including skimmers and booms. It can be utilized by the waterway as a clean-up vessel.
  • The vessel has the bright colors of a gas can and a constant flashing light for safety and identification.
  • All municipalities or reservoir owners are named as an “also insured” on policies
  • The vessel must be fully insured, and Fuelbote has now set up fleet-pricing and availability for complete insurance policy converage.
  • Fuel transfer speeds are generally at 8 gallons per minute
  • Operation is limited to daylight hours with both vessels “ at station” or fixed. We do not “float and fill”.

The Environmental Advantages of FUELBOTE

  • No more fuel spills in our waterways. Professional and trained in tanker man safety fully insured.
  • All vessels have pollution remediation on board including containment booms and skimmers. Captains trained to use them not high school summer job workers.
  • No more marinas without gas service. FUELBOTE can provide it.
  • No more damage to vessels docking for gas.
  • No more underground or above ground tanks needed on the shoreline.
  • No more environmental eyesores or tank leakage dangers.
  • No more dangerous fuel cans to carry for property owners.
  • No more need to burn more fuel driving to a marina for fill needs.
  • No more hassle for the boaters. Their boat is always fueled and ready.
  • No more waiting in line at the fuel dock burning fuel while they would rather be boating.
  • No more fuel spilled on boats. All trained and insured pilots.

NOTE: NFPA30 and 30A specifically states that ALL PASSENGERS MUST DISSEMBARK WHILE REFUELING OCCURS. PASSENGERS MAY NOT REMBARK UNTIL BLOWERS IN ENGINE COMPARTMENTS RUN FOR 10 FULL MINUTES. This rule is routinely ignored by marinas, but not by FUELBOTE as we refuel daytime hours dockside while vessels are not in use.

It is FUELBOTE’s intent to act as a good steward and supplier to the waterway through better use of marine fuel with less emissions, safer refueling and top service to the property owners and marina renters.

Permission to seek a COI in each USCG Sector was granted by the Marine Safety Center in Washington DC after review pending stability and scantling reports. Thank You.

John Neuens, CEO
FUELBOTE
100% American Engineered and Built
414-630-7223
john@fuelbote.com