Captain Kurt’s Boating Tips

Captain Kurt’s B ATING TIPS

When we think of a great day out on the water, we are typically thinking about cruising along with our family and friends on a beautiful Northern Michigan summer day. Anchoring out for lunch, swimming, fishing, water sports, or simply going out for a cruise are very rewarding activities. Many boaters don’t have the condition of their fire extinguishers, smoke alarms or carbon monoxide detectors as a top priority, but they should all be periodically checked to make sure they are up to date and functioning properly.

CARBON MONOXIDE SAFETY

• Carbon monoxide, or CO, is a colorless, odorless gas that is emitted in exhaust from combustion engines. Though a diesel can produce CO, it is mainly a concern with gasoline engines. • CO gasses can get trapped under a swim platform, so it’s important to always shut the engine down if people are swimming or lounging in this area. These gases can also get sucked into the helm area of an open boat, so make sure the helm area has proper ventilation. Avoid operating with all of the canvas up as this can potentially trap CO at the helm. • Your boat’s CO detectors are usually tied into the house batteries. If the boat’s batteries go low, the CO detectors will “chirp.” • Typically, CO detectors have a seven-year life span, after which they will “chirp.” indicating they need replacement.

SMOKE ALARMS

• Smoke alarms are typically powered by their own battery and not by the boat’s service batteries. This makes battery replacement more convenient. • They can be tested with smoke detector tester aerosol spray. This can be found at your local hardware store. • Smoke alarms should be mounted in each cabin on board.

FIRE SYSTEMS

• An inboard or inboard/outboard powered boat will have a fixed fire system mounted in the engine room or engine compartment. These systems need to be inspected and recertified annually. They are designed to go off automatically when a set engine room temperature is exceeded, but will also have a manual back-up. • Place portable fire extinguishers in locations where they would be easy to access in an emergency. Locations on board such as the galley, cockpit, and in each stateroom are great places to have them. • Class ABC portable fire extinguishers are very versatile and can be used on common combustibles, flammable liquids, and electrical fires.