If you own a boat or are taking a Quizlet or Boat ED exam online, you’ve undoubtedly heard this question before: where would a boat produce the highest concentration of carbon monoxide?
This article discusses everything you need to know about carbon monoxide in boats, including its sources, prevalence, and how to prevent CO poisoning.
Where Would a Boat Produce the Highest Concentration of Carbon Monoxide?
The highest concentration of carbon monoxide production is located near the boat’s engine and exhaust outlets. CO is emitted by the boat’s electric generator and drive engine, where it’s then released into the vehicle’s exhaust system.
Apart from the boat’s engine and exhaust, other sources of carbon monoxide include generators, cooking ranges, and space and water heaters.
Suppose any of the mentioned are poorly installed, poorly ventilated, or partially enclosed, the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning increases due to high gas build-up. The production of excessive carbon monoxide can lead to CO poisoning. In a lot of cases, CO poisoning is fatal.
The Prevalence of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning In Boats
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a flammable gas produced by burning propane, wood, gasoline, charcoal, and other types of fuel. It’s odorless, tasteless, and colorless, which makes it quite difficult to detect without a CO detector.
Prolonged exposure to high levels of carbon monoxide can lead to CO poisoning, which can be lethal. Carbon monoxide replaces the oxygen in the blood, which then may cause organ damage and death.
According to the Recreational Boating Statistics by the U.S. Coast Guard, CO poisoning is the fifth most common cause of death among boaters, alongside drowning, trauma, hypothermia, and cardiac arrest.
During the past 15 years, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recorded over 800 people who were poisoned by boating-related carbon monoxide poisoning—140 of which were fatal. Due to this, CO poisoning is currently listed as the most common cause of illness and death through poisoning in boaters.
Because of its elusive presence, boaters don’t often realize there’s CO until it’s too late. Some of the most common symptoms of the poisoning are as follows:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Difficulty thinking or concentrating
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Weakness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
The above symptoms are often confused with seasickness or intoxication, which is why CO poisoning is so prevalent—it’s ignored as something that’ll “go away on its own.”
To be safe, if any of the listed symptoms occur, step away from the boat and find fresh air immediately. It’s also best to seek medical attention unless you’re absolutely sure it’s not CO poisoning. If the person affected isn’t breathing, begin CPR until a paramedic arrives.
A carbon monoxide detector helps well in these situations, as it’ll tell you for sure that the symptoms you’re experiencing are caused by CO poisoning.
Factors That Increase the Risk for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Several factors increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
For instance, the gas build-up is more likely on boats fitted with rear vented exhaust systems because they’re near the rear deck and swim platform. Regularly traveling at slow speeds or remaining idle on the water while the engine is running may also increase CO build-up in your cabin, cockpit, bridge, aft deck, and other open areas.
In the same vein, those who overload or improperly load their boats put the vessels at risk for back-drafting, which then results in excessive CO build-up. This is especially true with ships with openings that draw in exhaust fumes.
Blocked ventilation louvers and exhaust outlets are likewise risk factors for CO poisoning.
Aside from the mentioned above, boaters and swimmers shouldn’t ski, wakeboard, or surf within 20 feet of a boat while it’s operating. The same is said with sitting or swimming near said boats while the engine’s generator is on.
Remember: never ignore routine CO detector maintenance. A CO detector needs to be replaced every five years or so. If your detector is flashing red (instead of green) and is beeping intermittently, it’s time to get yourself a new device. Regular boat check-ups and maintenance are likewise imperative and shouldn’t be ignored or postponed.
How to Prevent CO Poisoning on Boats
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the best ways to prevent CO poisoning are the following:
- All fuel-burning appliances and engines should always be installed and maintained correctly. As much as possible, have a professional equip them for you instead of doing it yourself.
- Exhaust outlets should never be blocked. Keep all outlets well ventilated.
- Forward-facing hatches should remain open while the boat’s engines are active
- Don’t swim or play anywhere close to a running engine, including rear swim decks or water platforms, for longer than 10 minutes.
- Before boarding, passengers should be educated about the signs and symptoms of CO poisoning.
- Regularly inspect and perform routine maintenance on your boat’s engine and exhaust systems.
- Periodically check your carbon monoxide detectors.
- If you own a large boat, install more than one detector.
- Carbon monoxide is odorless, but the exhaust isn’t. If you smell exhaust, CO is likely there. Immediately take action and dissipate the fumes in any way possible.
- Understand where and how CO might accumulate in your boat.
- Always wear a life jacket. CO poisoning may disorient passengers and may cause them to fall off the ship. If this happens, the life jacket will save them.
- If any of the passengers, including yourself, show any sign of seasickness, treat it as a sign of CO poisoning. Get your passenger or yourself into fresh air immediately. CPR must be administered if a passenger loses consciousness.
- Make sure your boat’s ski ropes are of appropriate length.
Final Thoughts
CO poisoning is extremely dangerous and should always be taken seriously. It’s dubbed as the “silent killer” for a reason! The highest concentration of carbon monoxide is found on the boat’s engine and exhaust pipes, so make sure to routinely check these areas to prevent the increased build-up of CO.