Owner`s manual

3070 EXPRESS
8.3 Carbon Monoxide and Proper Ventilation
FAILURE TO PROPERLY VENTILATE THE BOAT WHILE THE ENGINES ARE RUN-
NING MAY PERMIT CARBON MONOXIDE TO ACCUMULATE WITHIN THE CABIN.
CARBON MONOXIDE IS A COLORLESS AND ODORLESS GAS THAT IS LETHAL
WHEN INHALED AND CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY AND DEATH. CARE MUST
BE TAKEN TO PROPERLY VENTILATE THE BOAT AND TO AVOID CARBON MON-
OXIDE FROM ACCUMULATING IN THE BOAT WHENEVER THE ENGINES ARE
RUNNING.
Carbon monoxide (CO), a by-product of combustion, is invisible, tasteless, odorless, and is
produced by all engines, heating and cooking appliances. The most common sources of CO on
boats are gasoline engines, auxiliary generators and propane or butane stoves. These produce
large amounts of CO and should never be operated while sleeping. The hazard also may be
created by a boat nearby whose exhaust fumes are entering your boat. Boats also have a problem
due to the “station wagon effect” where engine exhaust fumes are captured in the vacuum or low
pressure area, usually the cockpit, bridge deck and cabin, that can be created by the forward speed
of the boat.
Boats underway should close all aft facing hatches and doors. The forward facing deck hatches
should be open whenever possible to help pressurize the living spaces of the boat. No sleeping
in the cabin should be permitted while underway. Proper ventilation should be maintained on
the bridge deck by opening windshield vents as far as possible to help pressurize the cockpit area.
The canvas drop or aft curtain must be removed and the side curtains should be opened or
removed to increase air flow and maintain proper ventilation whenever the engines are running.
Under no circumstances should the engines be operating with side curtains closed and the aft
or drop curtain installed.
Extreme caution must be taken while at anchor or in a slip when an auxiliary power generator
is operating. Wind still nights can easily allow exhaust fumes, containing high concentrations
of CO, from the generator on your boat or from an adjacent boat's generator to enter the boat. The
exhaust fumes may enter your boat through open hatches or windows.
A carbon monoxide detector has been installed in your cabin as standard equipment. While a CO
detector enhances your protection from CO poisoning, it does not guarantee it will not occur. Do
not use the carbon monoxide detector as a replacement for ordinary precautions or periodic
inspections of equipment. Never rely on alarm systems to save your life, common sense is still
prudent and necessary. Remember, the operator of the boat carries the ultimate responsibility
to make sure the boat is properly ventilated and the passengers are not exposed to dangerous
levels of carbon monoxide. You should always be alert to the symptoms and early warning signs
of carbon monoxide poisoning. You also should read the “Carbon Monoxide Monitoring
System” in the Safety Equipment chapter of this manual, and the owner’s manual supplied by
the CO detector manufacturer for operation instructions and additional information regarding the
hazards and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.
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