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Boaters urged to stay safe from Carbon Monoxide

14th Oct 2007

Boaters are being reminded to stay vigilant to the deadly effects of Carbon Monoxide (CO) by British Waterways and the Environment Agency. This message comes as National Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week is launched on October 15.

“You cannot see, taste or smell it, but CO kills silently, often without warning. This highly toxic gas has claimed the lives of four inland waterways boaters and put four more in hospital in the last year alone,” said Tony Stammers, Head of Health and Safety at British Waterways.

”Kills silently, without warning”

“Tragedies like these can be avoided if boaters take simple steps to stay alert to the dangers, and take immediate action if they suspect something is wrong.”

Simple steps to stay safe from CO include :-

  • Never block cabin ventilation, the appliances need the air to work properly
  • Have appliances installed by a professional and get them checked regularly
  • Check flues and chimneys for blocks, dents, holes, cracks, and splits
  • Run appliances according to instructions and, especially with solid fuel stoves, use the correct fuel and try to keep it dry
  • Never use gas hobs, grills and ovens for space heating
  • Keep all exhaust fumes, particularly petrol engine exhaust, away from people and especially living and sleeping quarters
  • Consider installing a CO alarm of the sort recommended by the supplier for use on a boat

Environment Agency Navigation Policy Adviser Julian Kennard added: “Recognising the symptoms of CO poisoning, such as nausea, dizziness, headaches and drowsiness, as early as possible can be a life-saver.

Recognising symptoms can be a life saver

“When you’re using a cooker, heater, gas fridge or solid fuel stove, or when running an outboard motor or generator, the crucial thing to remember is that if you start experiencing symptoms, you should get off the boat, seek medical help immediately and tell the doctor about a possible link to CO. Never start using the same equipment again until the problems have been sorted out.”

CO is a highly toxic by-product of carbon fuels such as gas, coal, wood, petrol and paraffin burning inefficiently. Records suggest inland boaters are especially at risk from solid fuel stoves and petrol outboard motors or generator exhaust fumes.

The Environment Agency and British Waterways are also providing posters and Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) leaflets to local commercial mooring operators, encouraging them to make their customers aware. Waterway staff will be briefed on simple ways to spot boaters who may be at risk and alert them to the danger.

More information on staying safe from CO is available on the BSS website www.boatsafetyscheme.com. The BSS leaflet ‘Avoiding the silent threat – Carbon Monoxide’ is available from some lock sites or local waterways staff.

Last updated: 22/10/2008