WWII & Korean War Crash Boat Transformed into a More User-Friendly, Accessible Floating Museum with Electric Macerating Toilet System

WWII & Korean War historian and caretaker Ted Yadlowsky opts to replace a pair of malfunctioning marine toilets aboard the now-retired US Army Air Force P-520 with Saniflo’s Sanimarin 4 macerating units. Eliminating clogs and other issues, the new toilets are easier to clean and maintain while handling the frequent-use demands and special needs of visiting military veterans.

Problem

CAMBRIDGE, MARYLAND — Historian Ted Yadlowsky, a passionate advocate for military veterans, recently embarked on an ambitious project to restore and repurpose a historic WWII & Korean War crash boat, the P-520. This class of boat was initially used for rescuing downed pilots but also for clandestine reconnaissance and sabotage missions during WWII & the Korean War. The vessel is slated to become a floating museum and working to become a therapeutic retreat for disabled veterans.

In addition to being dedicated to the brave soldiers who served on similar vessels, the ship would also serve as a venue for sponsored events. Companies would be able to host outings for veterans, providing them with a day of history, camaraderie, and therapeutic activities.

However, to achieve his vision, Yadlowsky faced a significant challenge: modernizing the boat’s facilities to ensure easy accessibility, dignity, and comfort for all visitors, especially disabled veterans.

One of the primary issues was the boat’s outdated and unreliable toilets. Traditional marine toilets often clog and are challenging to maintain, creating an unpleasant and impractical situation for visiting veterans and the crew. Yadlowsky needed a solution that would be easy to clean, user-friendly, and capable of handling the anticipated frequent-use demands.

“Typical marine toilets have all types of issues,” Yadlowsky explains. “Every time we go out on a trip, there’s a problem. It’s clogged, and somebody has to go down and fix it."

“I needed two simple and easy-to-clean toilets, especially since nobody likes to deal with bathroom issues,” he continues. “Our goal was to find something similar to a residential toilet.”

Solution

While researching potential solutions, Yadlowsky came across the Sanimarin 4 from SFA Saniflo, a macerating toilet system known for its efficiency and reliability. Designed specifically to handle waste on boats and other vessels, the unit features a powerful macerating blade and built-in pump to grind and remove waste and toilet paper, ensuring their smooth and efficient removal.

Impressed by its features, Yadlowsky contacted Saniflo for more information and received guidance on integrating the Sanimarin 4 into the P-520. With the manufacturer’s full support, Yadlowsky subsequently installed two 12-volt units on the vessel.

Prior to removing the older toilets and installing the Sanimarin 4 units, Yadlowsky evaluated the existing electrical setup. The latter featured an electrical box with two vertically configured buttons for monitoring the system.

In swapping out the old box, he decided to rotate it 90° to better fit the Sanimarin 4’s three-button control panel, which is more suited for horizontal mounting. The first button is to activate the motor to empty most of the water inside the toilet, preventing spillage during use. The second button is the ECO mode, which uses less water for flushing. The third button is the Normal mode, which uses more water for efficient waste removal.

Yadlowsky’s installation also took advantage of the bathroom’s shared wall with the engine room. Rerouting the wiring for the new electrical box through that wall and into the engine room, where the breaker box is also located, allowed him to locate the control panel there as well— a far more convenient arrangement for system monitoring. He also simplified the wiring with thinner, more manageable cables to help ensure a cleaner and more efficient installation.

Finally, Yadlowsky ran a fresh-water hose to the toilet for its water supply to ensure it was always pressurized and ready for use.

Results

The installation process, though challenging due to the boat’s historic nature and space constraints, was completed without any serious issues. Yadlowsky reports that the Sanimarin 4 has significantly enhanced the functionality and comfort of the P-520. As anticipated, the new toilets are easy to maintain, reducing the frequency of clogs and ensuring that the bathrooms remain clean and operational. Most important of all, the Sanimarin 4 upgrade has made a considerable difference in the overall experience for veterans and crew alike.

“I was able to move the new toilet back several inches, creating more forward room in the restroom,” says Yadlowsky. “Cleaning a porcelain toilet is also a lot easier, and the ability to change the water level in the toilet is also a major plus, not to mention that this unit does not clog!”

Yadlowsky notes that event participants appreciate the comfort and convenience of the modern, easy-to-use Sanimarin 4 toilets. While the improved bathroom facilities provide a more dignified experience for those with disabilities, the greater reliability of the Sanimarin 4 units has also alleviated the crew’s workload. They no longer face frequent maintenance issues.

Looking ahead, Yadlowsky plans to continue enhancing the P-520’s accessibility and adding features to support disabled veterans. Long-term goals include a specialized restroom in the aft compartment and, potentially, an elevator system to further improve visitors’ mobility and accessibility.

Integrating Saniflo’s Sanimarin 4 toilets into the P-520 has been a pivotal step in transforming the historic crash boat, says Yadlowsky: “This project is a testament to the importance of preserving history while adapting to contemporary needs, providing a unique and meaningful experience for all who come aboard.”