Red Diesel 

Buying diesel supplies for your pleasure craft is becoming increasingly complex. Make sure you are buying the correct fuel, at the correct price, supported by the correct paperwork.

There is confusion amongst boat owners about what diesel they can buy and use for pleasure craft propulsion and whether such fuel will cause damage to the boat’s engine installation or increase the danger of microbiological contamination or ‘diesel bug’.

Fuel supplies

• know what grade of fuel you are buying and what effect it could have on your boat with the implementation of the Fuel Quality Directive & the Renewable Energy Directive 
• advice on storing fuel

Buying red diesel

• red diesel used for domestic purposes such as heating and lighting, or for powering navigational equipment and aids, may be purchased at the reduced rate of duty.  Make sure you are paying the correct duty on your fuel supplies.
• the history surrounding the continued supply of red diesel to pleasure vessels

Boating abroad with red diesel

• the paperwork you needed
• possible problem areas