Apparatus to protect sealing surfaces of thief hatches

An apparatus, comprising:

• a base attachable to a tank around an aperture in the tank, the base having a first opening extending therethrough to provide access to the aperture in the tank;
• a spacer having a second opening extending therethrough, a rim of the second opening to engage a support surface of the base, the support surface extending about a perimeter of the first opening;
• and
• a cover selectively moveable between a closed position covering the aperture and the first and second openings and an open position providing access to the aperture, the spacer separating the cover from the base.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a base having a support surface facing away from a tank when the base is mounted to the tank;
• a spacer directly coupled to the base via a first hinge, a bottom surface of the spacer engaging with the support surface of the base;
• and
• a cover directly coupled to the spacer via a second hinge, the spacer disposed between the base and the cover when the cover is in a closed position with a top surface of the spacer supporting the cover.