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Most major leaks or hull ruptures occur while the vessel is under way. It is logical to utilize the tremendous power of the drive system for pumping in the event of such an emergency. It is imperative that an emergency pumping system be always ready, and since the Fast Flow pump is maintenance free, it is always ready to respond to an emergency.
The Fast Flow Emergency Pump System meets all of the above requirements by attaching the pump’s impeller directly to the vessel’s existing propeller shaft. The impeller is installed on the shaft in a spaced, non-contacting relationship with the housing. Because the pump impeller has no contact with the pump housing, it should not create any electrolysis problems. In fact, Fast Flow is the only known centrifugal pump that does not have mechanical seals and wear plates; consequently, there is no internal friction in a Fast Flow pump.
When the vessel’s propeller shaft is turning and the vessel begins to take on more water than the bilge pump can remove, the Fast Flow automatically primes itself and begins pumping within seconds of the time that the water enters the pump inlets. The Fast Flow pump can potentially save the vessel, or at least buy valuable time until help arrives or the leak source is found and repairs made. The Fast Flow pump is permanently installed, and it is in operation any time that the propeller shaft is turning. With a shaft turning approximately 600 -2000 RPM with a five-foot vertical head, the Fast Flow 3″ model can pump roughly 50,000 gallons per hour or 900 gallons per minute! The higher the RPM of the boat shaft, the more it will pump.
The Fast Flow emergency pump is “Life Insurance for your Boat”
Under normal operating conditions, the Fast Flow pump acts as a ventilator fan, using a fraction of available engine power. Under engine compartment flooding conditions, the Fast Flow pump automatically primes itself and begins pumping. It continues to pump without any action on the part of the crew as long as the propeller shaft is turning.
The Fast Flow pump is friction-less and theoretically maintenance free because it technically has no moving parts. This pump has no seals, no wear plates, no gaskets, gears, belts, pulleys, valves, no switches, or rubber impellers, bearings, electrical devices, and it requires absolutely no lubrication. In addition, there is no heat buildup and no filters to clog. The impeller is factory balanced and shaped like a harmonic balancer; it should not create any shaft vibration problems for the vessel. The impeller has no contact with the housing, which eliminates potential electrolysis corrosion problems. The Fast Flow system should be checked periodically to make certain that it is functioning properly.
