It’s something you can’t see, smell, taste or touch – but it kills...

Carbon monoxide kills – on average – one person a week in England and Wales. And about two hundred people a year need to be taken to hospital after suffering its effects.

It gets into the bloodstream through the lungs, blocking the oxygen your body needs. Prolonged exposure or very quick exposure to high concentrations can kill you.

The symptoms of CO poisoning include irritated eyes, headache, nausea, weakness and dizziness. These are often confused with seasickness or too much drink meaning often people who experience it don’t receive medical attention.

So what causes carbon monoxide to build up in your boat? Inadequate ventilation, exhaust gas from engines – yours or someone else’s, heater outlets. These are all possible causes and you need to be one step ahead of them.

Keep your boat well ventilated. Keep it well maintained – not only the engine, but also water pumps and cooling systems on ‘wet exhausts.’ Have your gas systems serviced by a ‘Gas Safe Engineer.’
Remember – if you can smell exhaust fumes, you are being exposed to carbon monoxide. Watch out for the symptoms. If you experience any of them get out on deck and into fresh air and get medical attention unless you are absolutely certain it’s not CO poisoning.

And the best piece of advice I can give you? Buy a carbon monoxide alarm – preferably a marine one as they last longer. But make sure it conforms to the BS and EU standards – BS EN 50291-2. 

If you want more information on carbon monoxide, the fitting and
maintenance of gas installations and a list of standards please go to http://www.boatsafetyscheme.org/

Tony Skeats
BEng (Hons) CEng. CMarEng MIMarEST
Marine Surveyor
Belfast Marine Office

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