Equipment: Seals leaks in a matter of seconds at the touch of a button

When faulty seacocks, damaged hoses or hull leaks lead to uncontrolled water ingress, having the right equipment is crucial to the crew’s safety and the boat’s survival. Whilst traditional plug-ups made of wood or foam often fail at irregular break points or in hard-to-reach places, the new leak-sealing gun uses a flexible balloon to block the inflow of water.

Ready for action in a matter of seconds

The System The Leak Stop Gun S (LSG) works on the same principle as a balloon. In the event of a leak, a special sealing balloon is positioned over the leak and inflated using a CO₂ cartridge. According to the manufacturer, the device is ready for use in a matter of seconds once the protective cap has been removed and the safety lever released. The balloon is made of EPDM elastomers and is designed to mould itself to the damaged area under pressure. The balloon’s material is resistant to acids, alkalis and fuels. When inflated, the operating pressure is between 1.9 and 2 bar.

Technical specifications and flexibility in the fuselage

The housing is made from stainless steel, aluminium and brass, weighs around 0.7 kilograms and measures 260 x 85 x 170 millimetres. This should mean it fits into most storage lockers. The model comes as standard with the ‘LSG 150’ balloon for leak sizes ranging from 50 to 130 millimetres. The optional Flextube extension system – a separate hose with metal couplings – allows the gun to be used in hard-to-reach areas. With the aid of an adapter, the larger “LSG 400” balloon can also be fitted, extending the range of application to hull openings of 120 to 350 millimetres. According to the company, the system has been successfully tested at water depths of up to 20 metres and is designed for temperatures ranging from -15 to 100 degrees Celsius.

Reusability

The Leak Stop Gun is a reusable device. Whilst the balloons can be inflated several times for training purposes, a new sealing balloon must be used after every real-life emergency for safety reasons. After use, the system requires a visual inspection, cleaning and the greasing of moving parts. The CO₂ pressure cylinders can also be refilled. In addition to the S version, there is the heavier ‘LSG 150’ (weighing 6 kg) and the “LSG 400” (weighing 11 kg), which is designed for damage up to 350 millimetres and is intended to withstand a water column of 7 metres.

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Technical specifications:

• ​Dimensions: 260 × 85 × 170 mm
• Weight: approx. 0.7 kg
• Case material: Stainless steel, aluminium, brass
• Standard leak size: 50 to 130 mm (with the standard ‘LSG 150’ balloon)
• Extended leak size: 120 to 350 mm (when used in combination with the Flextube system and the ‘LSG 400’ balloon)
• Working pressure of the balloon: 1.9 to 2 bar
• Temperature range: from -15° to 95/100° C