How To Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning On Boats

Every year, people on or around boats are overcome by the effects of CO. It gets into your lungs and prevents your body from obtaining oxygen.

Sources:

Carbon monoxide (CO) can come from anything that burns a carbon-based fuel (gasoline, propane, charcoal, oil, etc.). Carbon monoxide can be created by engines, gas generators, cooking ranges, heaters, etc. CO acts a lot like air. It doesn’t rise or fall but spreads evenly throughout an enclosed space and is very toxic.

Symptoms:

CO can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, redness to the face and fatigue. Symptoms are similar to those of seasickness or the flu. Eventually, CO leads to loss of consciousness and, eventually, death.

Since CO is colourless, odourless and approximately the same weight as air, the best prevention is to ensure that the boat is well ventilated.

Boaters need to take these steps to prevent CO problems:

• Heat the cabin or cook only when in a well-ventilated area.
• Get regular professional boat inspections.
• Install and maintain marine-grade CO detectors in living spaces before every trip. Remember the batteries.
• Check regularly for exhaust leaks from CO sources: engines, generators, propane appliances.
• Be aware of boat design areas where fumes may gather.
• Tell swimmers to stay away from the stern while generators and engines are in operation.
• Warn swimmers to stay away from the high risk areas: under swim platforms and between the pontoons of houseboats.
• Don’t “teak surf” by hanging off the back of the swim platform when the engine is on and the boat is in motion.
• If CO poisoning is suspected, remove yourself (or the victim) away from the area where the gas may be present and seek medical assistance.

Additional advice:

CO can build up when:  two vessels are rafted to each other; docked alongside a seawall; the bow rides high; a fuel-burning appliance or engine is running while the vessel is not moving.

If you are at anchor, have an engine or generator running to provide power or charge the batteries and there is a slight breeze coming over the stern there is a real risk of carbon monoxide being blown into the cockpit and down into the cabin. We strongly recommend the installation of a carbon monoxide detector located near the helm or at the entrance to the cabin.

Source: CanBoat / NautiSavoir’s Pleasure Craft Operator Card Course.

Learn more about Boating Safety by taking boating courses at: www.boatingcourses.ca