Boat refueling safety advisory

justnorth posted on June 22, 2007 04:07 :: 1440 Views

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is reminding boat operators to follow safety procedures when refueling their boats. The reminder follows an accident on Friday, June 15, that injured several people when a boat exploded after refueling at a gas dock on the Mississippi River in St. Paul.

"Safety procedures should be followed any time a boat is being fueled to reduce the chance of a fire or explosion," said Tim Smalley, DNR boating safety specialist. "A cup of gasoline is said to have the explosive power of a stick of dynamite, so fueling safely is a must."

Boating safety experts advise that the engine's power-operated blower should be run for at least four minutes before attempting to start the engine. "Even the most powerful blower won't remove liquid gas from the engine compartment," Smalley said. "You also need to open the engine compartment and use your nose to sniff for gas vapor and look for drips of fuel."

Occasionally after refueling, an engine that had operated properly, might miss, run roughly, stall or may not even start at all. "This is an obvious red flag that the engine compartment contains so much gasoline vapor that combustion will not occur in the engine itself," Smalley said. "At that point, the tiniest spark can cause a catastrophic explosion."

The DNR says if there is a strong smell of gasoline, or people see liquid fuel in the bottom of the boat, they should not attempt to start the motor before the leak or other problem has been remedied by a qualified technician.

The DNR offers these boat fueling tips to help avoid a fire or explosion.

BEFORE AND DURING FUELING

- keep a fully charged fire extinguisher on hand

- refuel during daytime hours if possible

- have all passengers not required for the fueling operation leave the boat

- fill portable gas tanks on shore, not in the boat

- shut off all motors, fans and other items that can cause a spark

- close all vents, doors, and hatches to prevent gasoline vapors from entering the boat and coming into contact with a possible ignition source

- keep the pump nozzle in contact with the filler spout to avoid static sparks

- never smoke when refueling a boat.

AFTER FUELING IS COMPLETE

- open the doors and hatches to speed ventilation

- run the boat's blower for at least four minutes before attempting to start engine

- open the engine cover and sniff for gas fumes

- sniff for fumes and look for liquid fuel in the bilge; don't start it until all gas fumes are gone and there is no liquid fuel in the bilge.