As of December 1, 2010, all diesel fuel sold in the U.S. must be ULSD ...QUOTE]
You might want to take a look at the EPA regs for Non-NEMA areas, excluding California and Alaska. Those areas have until October 2014 to implement ULSD only use.
And while you are researching the issue, look at the specs for "marine diesel" as opposed to the other flavors ... there is at least one very important specification other than sulfur content that may be significantly different and be of great interest to your insurance company.
Right from an EPA white paper..
II. Summary of Important Findings
&
The marine fuels used in recreational marine operations are primarily off-highway 2-D and onhighway
2-D. The marine fuels used in commercial marine operations are primarily distillates
intermediate and residual oil. Thus, in this study to compare sulfur and fuel use information for
recreational and commercial purposes, we compared data for off-highway 2-D and on-highway 2-D
with distillates, intermediate and residual oil.
The marine fuel industry uses specific names for distillate, intermediate and residual fuels.
Marine diesel fuel is not a general term, but refers specifically to an intermediate type fuel.
Diesel fuel used for recreational purposes generally has lower sulfur than diesel fuel used for
Diesel fuel used for recreational purposes is a small fraction of the diesel fuel used for
commercial marine purposes.
Fuel testing services, marinas, and refineries provided the wealth of property information on marine
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August 20, 1999
fuels. Ports had no such property information.
&
In a Northern California marina, No 2 on-highway is used as recreational marine fuel. In other
selected marinas in parts of the country, No 2 off-highway is used. Thus, for recreational marine
fuel, Northern California has much lower sulfur levels than recreational marine fuel in other parts of
the country.
Actual sulfur content for residual and intermediate marine fuels (e.g. commercial use) are not
widely available.
In contrast to commercial marine businesses, recreational boat owners have no volume leverage, and less
cost-reduction incentives to arrange for special fuels. With the large overlap in boiling range with other
distillate fuels, the sources of recreational marine fuels are often land-based fuels that can meet or exceed
all specifications of the marine fuel. Therefore, distributors of recreational fuels take what is most
available, which is truck and tractor diesel fuel and home heating fuel. Both of these fuel grades are
given the designation "Number 2" (or No. 2-D diesel) fuel. All marinas, and all fuel suppliers, have
reported that diesel fuel is delivered to marinas by tank truck, and the fuel is the same as provided to
either on-road service stations or off-road supply stations. Some marinas
17, 18 said that their diesel fuel is
dyed red (off-road) and others19 said that it is "clear" (on-highway diesel).
Bottom line...you don't know what you are getting when you fill up at a local marina...probably EXACTLY what the gas station down the street got and you got it with red dye added.
If you are a big commercial provider...you can be more specific in your specs for your customers...
