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Carbon Monoxide

How to Protect Others & Yourself

You're in command of your boating safety. Follow these simple steps to help keep carbon monoxide from poisoning you, your passengers, or those around others.

  • Know where and how CO may accumulate in and around your boat.

  • Maintain fresh air circulation throughout the boat at all times. Run exhaust blowers whenever the generator is operating.

  • Know where your engine and generator exhaust outlets are located and keep everyone away from these areas.

  • Never sit, teak surf, or hang on the back deck or swim platform while the engines are running. Teak surfing is NEVER a safe activity.

  • Never enter areas under swim platforms where exhaust outlets are located unless the area has been properly ventilated.

  • Although CO can be present without the smell of exhaust fumes, if you smell exhaust fumes, CO is also present. Take immediate action to dissipate these fumes.

  • Treat symptoms of seasickness as possible CO poisoning. Get the person into fresh air immediately. Seek medical attention-unless you're sure it's not CO.

  • Install and maintain CO alarms inside your boat. Do not ignore any alarm. Replace alarms as recommended by the alarm manufacturer.

  • Follow the checklists provided on this website.

  • Get a Vessel Safety Check. A VSC is a free bow-to-stern safety examination.