The Dangers of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning on Boats

Posted in: Serious Personal Injury | May 01,2019

Image result for boating negligenceEach time you operate a boat, you are at risk from a silent threat that can kill or severely injure you and your passengers without you even being aware of it.

Carbon monoxide is a deadly killer, and boaters may be at special risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. This is an odourless and tasteless gas. These properties are what make carbon monoxide even more dangerous – victims don’t even know they are at risk until it’s too late.

Improper placement of propane gas heaters, prone gas stoves, and gas- powered generators can cause generation and accumulation of carbon monoxide fumes. Since there is no taste or smell associated with this gas, victims may not even realize that they are being exposed to the gas until symptoms being to appear.  Unfortunately, even the symptoms are usually mistaken for symptoms of sea sickness because they mirror these.  Examples of symptoms include nausea, vomiting and dizziness.

In order to avoid accumulation of carbon monoxide on your vessel, follow these steps that the US Coast Guard recommends.

Place all your combustion appliances in a well-ventilated area. If possible, place fans in the areas to encourage circulation of fresh air.

Use carbon monoxide detectors to detect signs of the gas. These must be placed in individual cabins.

Certain areas are more likely to see accumulation of the gas. These include the areas around the exhaust pipes, and the rear deck. Avoid loitering in these areas.

Carbon monoxide exposure may occur even when the boat is not moving. If your boat is idle at the dock, you may be at risk of exposure to carbon monoxide fumes from other vessels nearby that have their engines on.

Take precautions to prevent the accumulation of these fumes on your vessel. They are a serious threat to you, your crew members and passengers.

The Indianapolis  lawyers at Montross Miller represent persons injured in catastrophic boat accidents as a result of the negligence of another in the Indianapolis region and across Indiana.  

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