TECHNICAL NOTES FROM THE BOAT PRO

Carbon Monoxide - Sneaky and Dangerous

This article was written by Peter E. Moon, KYC Boat Pro.

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless and tasteless poisonous gas which is emitted in engine and generator exhaust. The symptoms are sneaky in that CO poisoning can be mistaken for seasickness, a cold, intoxication or simply the effects of being out on the water and in the sun all day.

The warning signs of CO poisoning can include irritated, watery eyes; dizziness and drowsiness; a flushed appearance with possible nausea and vomiting; lack of concentration; ringing in the ears; throbbing temples and a headache; and ultimately collapsing and convulsions. As symptoms vary widely from person to person, often one should be aware that even "seasickness" could be the result of exposure to CO.

CO accumulation requires immediate attention. It is important to ventilate the cabin and cockpit areas and correct the probable source of the CO quickly. Get the victim into the fresh air as quickly as possible. Remember that CO is absorbed into the bloodstream through the lungs and reduces the ability of your blood to carry oxygen. If the levels of CO are high enough in your blood stream, you will die of asphyxiation.

While underway, ventilate your cabin and cockpit by opening a forward hatch, porthole, or window to allow air to travel through the boat's interior. One of the most insidious conditions that can cause CO to accumulate in a boat is called the "station wagon effect." When the boat is moving upwind or even at a mooring with the bow into the wind, a back draft from the stern of the boat will cause the exhaust gases to be sucked back into the boat. Keep a hatch or porthole open to ventilate the cabin and cockpit area. Exhaust gases from other boats, either alongside your boat or upwind of your boat and even alongside a pier or jetty that causes the wind to swirl around your boat, can accumulate in your boat with no hint of a problem until CO is dangerously high and someone must respond immediately. Keep a hatch or porthole open to ventilate the cabin and cockpit area.

Another dangerous condition that has affected a lot of families occurs when a generator or engine is idling and exhausting out the stern under a partially enclosed swim platform. The concentration of CO there can kill in seconds without any warning at all. Swimming under the platform or ducking in and out under the platform is very dangerous and all children and persons should be warned not to do so. CO is also produced by gas cooking ranges in a boat's galley, charcoal grills on the back deck and gas or fuel oil water and space heaters.

CO is dangerous, period; one must be aware of the dangers at all times. Boats with cabins and all the boating paraphernalia and situations described above should have a CO alarm aboard and if there are multiple cabins, there should be one alarm in each cabin. These alarms should be checked frequently during the boating season and ideally, the sensor should be replaced annually at the beginning of the boating season.