Fire and Smoke 

Help to prevent fire and carbon monoxide poisoning by checking what equipment you have on board.

Prevention is always the best protection and this includes thinking about whether the devices using carbon-based fuels which you have on board are appropriate to be used on a boat. 

Following recent incidents and warnings, we consider the possible dangers of three types of equipment which might find their way on board.

Portable gas equipment

Boaters are being urged to refrain from using portable gas equipment such as camping stoves, heaters and lamps on board. 

This type of equipment is designed for use in the open air and is not suitable for use in the confines of a boat cabin where both explosions and carbon monoxide could have terrible results. Two boaters were severely injured in an explosion on a boat on the Norfolk Broads in 2010.  

Alternatives are available such as using a battery operated torch instead of a gas lamp.  A flask could be filled with a hot drink prior to taking to the water for the day rather than using a gas camping stove on board.

Portable generators

Earlier this year a mother and daughter tragically died from carbon monoxide poisoning on a motor cruiser in Lake Windermere.

Exhaust fumes spread from the engine bay into the cabin when an improvised exhaust and silencer became detached from a ‘suitcase’ style portable petrol-engine generator which had been installed to supply the boat with 240v power.

As a result, the generator’s exhaust fumes filled the engine bay and spread through gaps in an internal bulkhead into the aft cabin where the mother and daughter were asleep.

Portable generators are usually intended for use in the open air and the use or permanent installation of these engines on boats, particularly in enclosed spaces or below decks, increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Barbeques

With summer here, it might be tempting to have a barbeque on board. 

Boaters are being strongly encouraged to enjoy a barbeque responsibly ashore and not on board as barbeques present a potential fire and carbon monoxide hazard. 

Stray hot embers could set alight to boat furnishings or any other combustible material. 

The risk from carbon monoxide poisoning is very real.  Hot or warm embers produce dangerous amounts of the highly toxic gas and continue to do so for hours after cooking.  This means it is never safe to have a lit or cooling barbeque in a cabin or covered cockpit area.  Charcoal is only safe when absolutely stone-cold. 

The safety message is straight forward, ensure that the equipment you have on board is suitable, properly installed and maintained, and used according to the manufacturer’s instructions.  

Read more about fire safety and carbon monoxide.