Carbon Monoxide - The Silent Killer

As more and more boaters use auxiliary generators to power the electrical needs of their boats, or small fossil fueled stoves to heat their boats now that fall is here, the incidents of carbon monoxide, "CO" poisoning have been increasing.

CO forms from the incomplete combustion of fuels such as gasoline and diesel. On average about 10 to 12 percent of exhaust, gas is CO. It is colorless, odorless and is a killer. Your first defense against it is to outfit your boat with a carbon monoxide detector, which will set off an alarm when CO is detected. A little over 650 parts per million can be toxic, so if you have an engine of any type running and you develop any of the following symptoms; a headache, dizziness and nausea consider that CO might be the cause.

At the first sign of these symptoms immediately, get into fresh air and shut off the motor. Continued exposure may be fatal. What should you be on the lookout for? While underway, the flag on the stern instead of flapping aft is actually flapping forward. This is know as the station wagon affect as the forward motion of the boat and the superstructure cause the exhaust to be sucked over the transom and into the boat.

I know as it happened to us a few years ago during a flat calm as we motored off the coast of Maine. Fortunately, we recognized the symptoms. ventilated the boat by opening as many ports as possible, lowered the dodger and stood up in the cockpit. We kept everyone out of the cabin and in fresh air. No more CO problems.

Among the other dangerous situations is what is known as teaking. Done mostly by kids, it is being towed by or on something directly behind the boat and right in the exhaust stream. Additional potential problems are having ventilators close to exhaust ports, having generator exhaust ports under swim platforms, and enclosing your boat if it is not designed to be enclosed. A survey of your boat to identify where the exhaust ports are in relation to openings where the CO could enter is critical to the safety of all aboard.

In the end recognizing the symptoms, shutting off the source of the CO and getting the affected person(s) into fresh air are what you should do. Later you may be able to remedy the problem by altering your boat if alterations done by a professional will alleviate the problem. Stay safe!