Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is essentially undetectable by human senses. It is produced when an engine that uses a carbon-based fuel like gasoline is running. Carbon monoxide is a component of exhaust gases - if you can smell exhaust, then CO is present.

Carbon monoxide is also produced when propane, charcoal, or oil burns to power onboard appliances such as a stove, grill, hot water heater or generator. The most common source is the gasoline-powered engine that is found on the majority of recreational motor boats.

For this reason, it is important to know the sources of CO, the symptoms of CO exposure, and what to do if you suspect someone has been exposed to this deadly gas for any period of time.

The Basics You Need To Know

• You cannot see, smell or taste CO.

• The most common source of CO is a running engine.

• Install and maintain a marine grade CO detector.

• CO can make you sick in seconds and high concentrations of CO can kill.

• CO symptoms are similar to and often confused with seasickness or alcohol intoxication.

• Avoid closed-off, poorly ventilated areas of a boat when its engine is running.

• Never ride or hang on a swim platform where gases accumulate when the engine is running.

• If CO is suspected, open all windows, hatches, and ports to ventilate.

• Move a person to fresh air if CO poisoning is suspected and seek medical attention.

Dangerous Gases

Carbon monoxide enters the bloodstream though the lungs by breathing in this dangerous gas. Exposure in a well-ventilated environment is generally not a problem. Brief exposure in a more confined environment can cause sickness and prolonged exposure to higher concentrations can kill you.

Since symptoms of carbon monoxide mimic seasickness or alcohol intoxication, it is sometimes overlooked as nothing serious and those affected never receive the medical attention they need.

Tip: Maintain fresh air circulation throughout the boat at all times and maintain your vessel to assure peak engine performance. An improperly tuned engine is more likely to produce elevated levels of CO.

Areas Where It Lurks

To avoid CO, you should know the areas of where CO can accumulate such as inadequately ventilated canvas enclosures and engine compartments. If you are tied to a dock, be certain exhaust ports aren't blocked, which can force exhaust back into the boat and if you are rafted to another boat, be certain exhaust from one boat doesn't enter the other.

Another way for exhaust to enter a boat is when a moving boat creates the station-wagon effect where exhaust finds its way back aboard because of circular airflow known as back drafting.

Trip Checklist For Carbon Monoxide

• Make sure you know where all exhaust outlets are and they are not blocked.

• Confirm that water flows from the exhaust outlet when motors or generators are running.

• Educate all passengers about the symptoms of CO poisoning and where CO may accumulate.

• Test the operation of each CO detector for proper functioning by pressing the test button.

• Open hatches or canvas enclosures if CO accumulation is suspected.

• When rafted to another boat be certain that exhaust flows freely into open air.

• Avoid Swim Platforms or swimming around or near a boat when the engine is running.

• Periodically examine the exhaust fixtures on your boat to be certain of proper performance.

• Always maintain you boat to peak performance to reduce the risk of CO production.

Editor's Note: As you know, a day on the water can turn suddenly bad with little warning. So when you head out, ask yourself, "Am I prepared to handle an incident like this?" If you'd like some help getting answers, BoatUS Foundation has a range of boating-safety topics at BoatUS.org/boating-safety.asp - from marine communications to distress signals and cold water boating - that may help you look at your onboard safety with a critical eye.