SILENT, SCENTLESS, DEADLY
On a bright, sunny summer day, enjoying the sea breeze out on the open water as you make way to a popular fishing spot, you begin to feel sick. Most people would associate this with seasickness, but what if it is something more serious?
TThat is exactly what recently happened to a group of people on a fishing trip, sending many to the hospital. One person even became overcome and lost consciousness. The culprit? Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.
Every vessel equipped with a fossil-fuel-powered engine produces CO, which is usually safely dispersed out the exhaust and away from people on board. Exhaust ports typically exit the vessel at the waterline and with plenty of fresh air, which keeps CO away from passengers and easy to forget when people become ill. CO is an odorless and colorless gas produced by the incomplete combustion of fuels like gasoline and diesel—and it is a killer.
CO becomes a threat to boaters when boat owners make modifications to the vessel that can affect the flow of exhaust fumes, are unaware of wind direction, and/ or don’t pay attention to other vessels idling or running generators around them.
In the case of the fishing trip nightmare, the vessel owner had modified his swim platform to fit a large cooler onto it. The cooler became an obstacle that trapped CO fumes and allowed them to be sucked forward to the deck, flying bridge and interior cabin spaces as the boat moved at cruising speed—aka the station-wagon effect.
In other cases, auxiliary generators have led to CO exposure. Improper exhaust ducting or portable units placed on deck in poor locations can cause CO exposure.
Common symptoms of CO exposure include headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain and confusion. High levels of CO can lead to loss of consciousness and even death. If you experience symptoms or witness someone else showing signs of carbon monoxide poisoning, don’t dismiss it as seasickness. Alert others around you, move the individual to a source of fresh air, investigate the potential of CO fumes present in accommodation spaces, and seek medical care. Placing a distress call on Channel 16 will get you the medical care you need.
How do you prevent CO exposure? Vessel owners should install carbon monoxide detectors wherever people congregate. They are the simplest and cheapest way to detect it early. Make sure you don’t use fuel-burning stoves as a heat source, swim and play away from exhaust outlets, make sure you don’t dock, beach or anchor a vessel that might be running a generator or engine, and be aware of weather conditions and wind direction.
Before making modifications, see if there are any exhaust ports or intake ports nearby. Any local marine yard should have knowledgeable staff available to review your vessel and help you make the right modifications. Always get your complimentary Coast Guard safety checks done before heading out and enjoying the summer fun.