![]() ![]() Now that it’s creeping into late summer and the boat’s been in the water for a few months, it’s important to be aware of some hazards that may not be life-threatening but can cause serious problems. ![]() Remember, seawater and electrical connections don’t mix. Whether your boat utilizes a stuffing box, face seals or lip seals, they all use raw water for lubrication, and the hoses providing the water flow also need inspection. And don’t forget your propeller shaft seals. “Every ten years, rubber hoses should be replaced,” McErlane adds. It’s important to check the condition of the hoses and connections that carry the water to various bits of machinery. “Seawater is corrosive and more aggressive on metal fittings,” says McErlane. Where are your thru-hulls are located? Do the valves shut off? Do your bilge pumps work? How about the floats? Did you check? Seawater is pumped in to cool the engine, generator and air-conditioning systems. Be alert for suspicious odors and fumes, and vent all spaces thoroughly before starting the engine(s).īesides fire, flooding can also put your life at risk.Use proper containers for flammable liquids.Clean up any spilled fuel or lube oil immediately and properly dispose of it on shore.Coast Guard’s seamanship manual lists the following preventative measures to practice: Remove them after an oil or a fuel filter change or after cleaning a spill. Oil- or fuel-laden rags and trash are a fuel that, when hot enough, can spontaneously combust. Never use an automobile battery charger.Ĭleanliness is key. It will turn off or go into “float” mode when the batteries are full. Also, be sure a marine-rated battery charger is used. A battery’s lifespan is between two and four years, and McErlane suggests the owner/operator replace it at around three years. Coast Guard’s Boat Crew Seamanship Manual. “When batteries are charging, they emit hydrogen, a highly flammable gas that is potentially explosive,” states the U.S. Because they are consistently under a charge, they can overheat as they age. Even though hoses looked good at the beginning of the season, their condition from sitting for an extended period of time can change after they’re used.īatteries are also a fire hazard. Ruptured seawater lines can cause severe short-circuiting and arching in electric motors (alternators), electrical panels and other exposed electrical equipment, which can cause a fire. It’s also important to check the raw water cooling hoses. “There’s a potential for fire danger from a high-pressure fuel leak on the engine or from high-pressure oil in your hydraulic system finding a hot point in the engine room and flashing off,” says McErlane. When inspecting the engine, generator, and steering system, check for cracks or signs of leakage in and around the fuel and hydraulic hoses. “If there’s a fire pump or means to put out a fire, prove that it functions.”Ī broken hose can lead to additional engine hazards. “However, I’m amazed at how many boat fire systems don’t actually function.” And that’s true with every system on board. Fuel, oil, lubricants, air (oxygen), and the hot surfaces associated with the machinery create a highly combustible situation.įirst, does the engine room have a fire suppression system? Where are the extinguishers? Are they the correct rating for the type of fire (“B” for liquid, including oil and fuel, and “C” for live electrical equipment)? Is the system or are the canisters charged? Are there enough to put out a fire completely? “There’s a natural assumption by boat owners that their fire systems work,” says Scott McErlane, former yacht engineer and service technician for Sea Coast Fire. It’s a life-threatening event, but fire is a result, not a hazard. One of the greatest fears onboard and the most obvious danger in the engine room is fire. Whatever type of engine powers your boat, the first thing on the list is to keep the area around it clean. Additionally, the risk for hazards increases dramatically if the room is also used for storage. That risk is with the addition of generators, pumps, electrical equipment, and batteries. When an engine is housed in an engine room, like most diesel-powered boats, the hazard increases due to confined space. Engine hazards to watch for Whether your boat is powered by an outboard, an inboard-outboard or a diesel, there will be engine hazards.Īnything that has moving parts requires oil and gas and gets hot under load will create potential engine hazards. ![]()
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