We were preparing to leave Bocas for a few days. The last thing to do was to fill the water tanks. I filled the starboard one and moved the hose to the port tank and started filling. About 10 minutes later I looked at the water filler and it had the cap on. I asked the Admiral if she had pulled the hose and put the cap on. "Ahhh,,,, no" was the answer. About that time I looked forward and about a second later said "AH FUCK" as I looked at the hose stuck in the fuel filler.

Needless to say I put 35 gallons of water in the tank along with the 40 gallons of diesel that was already in there. I managed to borrow a 'Water Puppy' and 6 5 gallon containers from the mechanic here in the marina, stuck a hose to the bottom of the tank and started pumping out the water. It's amazing just how pure the water that came out was. I filled 6 containers and while filling the 7th I started getting a sloppy mix of diesel and water. I continued for another 3 or 4 gallons until it came out clear.

We took the containers to the rear of the small boatyard and disposed of the water properly. I then changed procedures and took the fuel line off the Racor, attached a hose to the 'Water Puppy' and pumped the diesel back to the tank through one of those 'Mister Filters' for about an hour in a kind of fuel scrubbing activity. Not a lot of water was left in the filter so I stopped, cleaned up the mess and started the generator. It ran fine for about an hour so I started the main engine and we made our way to the fuel dock, put 100 gallons in and made our way back to the slip.

This morning I plan on doing a bit more scrubbing of fuel thinking that some more water might have settled during the tranquil night.

If all goes well, we're leaving mid morning for a 4 day cruise around the Bocas area. I'll cross my fingers, monitor the Racors and I guess see what happens.

The worst part was the Admirals screaming at me when I told her. I can't put what she said here but it went on for about 10 minutes making me feel even better than I did after screwing up like that. The guy next to us started playing Steve Miller in an effort to block out the abuse I was taking from the Admiral. Then again I deserved it. She's alright now and actually commended me on my technique for removing the water.

What a dumb shit.

First chance I get the Diesel filler gets painted red.