A burst accumulator tank: what it is and why it matters on a liveaboard

Lauren Landers Sailing discovered a freshwater leak the night before, with the water pump cycling on briefly, and decided to deal with it in the morning. The next day, a loud burst revealed the accumulator tank had failed entirely, not just a hose. An accumulator tank sits between the freshwater pump and the distribution manifold. Its job is to hold pressurized water so the pump does not have to cycle on and off every time you open a tap. The pump only turns on when water pressure in the tank drops to its lower trigger point, fills the tank back to pressure, and then stops. Without the tank, the pump runs continuously and pressure can build up in the hose lines. Getting a replacement part in French Polynesia was uncertain, making the situation more urgent.