Now is the time for marinas to take steps to keep their customers boating this summer. For Certified ValvTect® Marinas and Certified ValvTect® Marine Fuel™ Distributors who serve marinas, this means conducting annual inspections and following strict guidelines to ensure marinas meet ValvTect®’s high standards for fuel quality, storage, and dispensing practices.
Once certified, ValvTect® marinas can proudly display their certificate at the fuel dock and current-year fuel inspection decals can be affixed to fuel pumps. In addition, certified marinas are listed on the ValvTect® website so boaters can locate trusted marinas that meet ValvTect®’s quality control measures.
Benefits of ValvTect® Marine Fuel™
- Stabilizes and extends marine gas and diesel for 2 years or more
- Improves power, performance, and fuel economy
- Prevent fuel and fuel filter plugging
- Extends fuel filter life
The annual ValvTect® Marina Quality Control Program includes testing gasoline for water and phase separation. Diesel fuel is tested for water and bacteria that can grow in the fuel. Hydroscopic fuel filters, which are mandatory on all dispensers, should also be inspected or replaced annually.
As a Certified ValvTect® Distributor, East River Energy has provided complimentary storage tank and fuel testing services for its marinas for over a decade. In our experience, properly maintaining fuel storage and dispensing equipment is critically important to maximizing the benefits of ValvTect® Marine Fuel™ (right) and ensuring a trouble-free and stress-free boating season.
As such, we use special equipment to take fuel samples from the bottom of the tank1 as required by ValvTect®, instead of at the fuel-pump nozzle. This helps detect problems early, so recommended action can be taken to correct the problem before it gets into the boater’s fuel tank.
East River Energy has even returned during the season to conduct additional tests. This usually occurs when boaters report problems with their fuel. Quite often, they suspect the marina’s fuel or storage tank is the problem. By re-testing, we can assure the boater of the quality control measures in place and the integrity of the fuel. Marinas appreciate our back-up and third-party validation of their fuel quality!
ValvTect® also released new fuel-pump imaging for marinas. Complying with imaging requirements is also a part of the annual certification. The point-of-sale materials feature a vibrant and modern look that embodies ValvTect®’s commitment to innovation and passion for the open water. The imaging also highlights the benefits of ValvTect® Marine Fuel™ for boaters.
East River Energy has installed these materials for busy marinas at no charge. Once installed, our customers immediately see the value of the new graphics. Marinas in Guilford and Branford mentioned that they liked the look of the new ValvTect® imaging and appreciated the no-cost installation service. Their customers commented that it freshened up the fuel dispensers, made the fuel dock look more professional, and assured them that they were purchasing a fuel product specifically engineered for the marine environment.
In addition, Randy Lohr, formerly of ValvTect®, recently joined the East River Energy team. What a great resource for our customers! As Director of Sales and Marketing for Specialty Products at East River Energy, Randy will provide valuable experience and extensive knowledge about ValvTect® products and the marine fuel program to our marina customers.
If you have any questions or would like more information about the items contained in this post, please contact Randy Lohr at r.lohr@eastriverenergy.com or 860-912-6146.
- Bottom sampling methods may not be available at all locations due to existing storage tank configurations whereby ValvTect® approves fuel-pump nozzle sampling. ↩︎