Septic tank emptying on Prestige 32

[scape]

Hi, we have a 2004 prestige 32.
I have normally emptied the toilet bowl into the sea via the manual pump and the valve open to the sea, there is a holding tank, macerator in the toilet cupboard and a gauge with a push button on the outside of the cupboard, I reacently switched the valve for the wate to go to the holding tank and filled with fresh water and cleaning fluid, thinking that all I had to do to empty it to sea was to push the button beside the toilet full gauge, it’s making pumping noises but the gauge is still showing 3/4 full and nothing appearing to bubble up from under the hull through the Sealcock or whatever it comes out of, any help would be great

[belmar]

perhaps a bit too basic but since you don’t mention it: have you opened the seacock?

[scape]

Yes I open the 4 valves under the sink 2 inlet 2 outlet and lots of noise when the button on macerator is pushed but no reduction in the amount in the tank !!

[belmar]

Sorry for this but another general remark: those meters are very frequently stuck: sometimes a couple of big waves will shake them loose but not always: so before looking into broken pumps or anything else you should check that.

[napoleon]

Hi Scape,

If the vessel is 2004 then after 14 years it is virtually certain that the impellor in the macerator pump is no good.
Just done mine with same problem.

Napoleon

[fakinx]

Hm, on my boat the seacock for emptying black tank is in the hatch behind the toilet. Under the sink there are 4 valves 1'' in diameter (2x in and 2x out - sink and shower sump) while waste tank discharge valve is 2''. But don't know your setup.