Q&A · 51:59-53:26

Kingston valves let crews admit seawater from inside the hull

Sea pressure normally keeps a Kingston valve closed, while an internal control allows seawater into a tank for maintenance and flushing.

Question

What is a Kingston valve and what does it do?

Short answer

It is an internally operated seacock used to admit seawater for tank cleaning and system maintenance while sea pressure normally holds it shut.

Notes

A Kingston valve is a type of seacock whose normal pressure state resists unwanted flooding. Engineers can open it from within the vessel to admit seawater, clean fuel tanks, and move increasingly salty water out of associated systems without external access.