Boat safety fuel vapor.
Have your fuel lines inspected regularly. Look for loose fittings or cracks in the lines and correct any noted problems immediately. If you use portable fuel tanks, check them for corrosion or pitting. Make sure the vents work properly and that there is a vapor-tight, leak-proof cap on the tank. If your tanks are permanently mounted, have them inspected annually. Be certain that they are vented to the outside of the hull and that fill pipes are outboard to prevent spills in closed compartments.[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
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If you have a boatload of people and they're not all needed for the fueling process, suggest they leave the boat and go browse around the marina. The fewer people around the gas pump when you're fueling, the better. Remind your fellow boaters not to smoke or use cell phones around the gas pumps. Shut off all your engines, electric motors, and galley stoves and close all compartments, ports, windows, and hatches to keep the vapors out of those areas when you start fueling. Make sure a fire extinguisher is readily available.
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Remove portable tanks from the boat and fill them ashore. If you spill gasoline on the tanks, wipe them off before bringing them back on board.
Hold the fill nozzle against the metal side of the fuel filler pipe. The filler pipe is grounded to the bonding system of the boat, and making contact between the nozzle and the pipe at all times will help prevent sparks from static electricity.
Tightly replace the fuel filler caps. Clean up spills and properly dispose of the rags you use to clean up the mess. Reopen the hatches, ports and compartments that you closed up prior to starting the fueling process. Before you turn on your ventilation blower in the bilge, smell for gasoline vapors. Don't flip any switches if you detect fumes. Find the source; then correct and ventilate before proceeding.
Think safety! When it comes to gasoline, it's always best to keep the explosions inside the engine. Always take the few extra minutes to do it right. It could make the difference between a disaster and a day of enjoyment on the water.
by Rick Griffin, Eglin AFB, Fla.
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| Author: | Griffin, Rick |
|---|---|
| Publication: | Combat Edge |
| Date: | May 1, 2009 |
| Words: | 372 |
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