preventing and handling emergencies 271
- Run blowers for 5 minutes to rid
bilges of vapors. Close hatches,
opening ports, vents (including
dorades), and doors. On sailboats,
insert dropboards into the
companionway opening and close
sliding hatch. - Keep a fi re extinguisher ready for
immediate use. Remove one of the
portable extinguishers from its
bracket. Lay it on deck, on its side, to keep it from rolling around. - Place diapers or absorbent pads over downhill scuppers and drains.
Th is prevents fuel from spilling from the deck and into the cockpit and
overboard. - Assign one crewmember to watch the fuel gauge. V-shaped fuel tanks cause
gauge readings to be somewhat erratic. Th e gauge rises quickly when you
start fueling, and then slows to a crawl near the tank top. - Place a rag around the nozzle or fuel fi ll hole. Insert the nozzle and
maintain contact with the fi ll to prevent buildup of static electricity. When
you are three-quarters full, assign a crewmember to monitor the fuel vent.
Have him or her hold an absorbent pad or diaper under the vent in case of
overfl ow. Top off each tank to 90% to allow for expansion. - Replace the nozzle and wipe up any spills. Check the cap gasket for cracks
and proper seating. A cracked or worn gasket leads to water intrusion into
the fuel tank. Replace and tighten down the fi ll cap. Check all around the
boat’s waterline for fuel spills. Cleanup any spill immediately with absorb
pads. Do not—under any circumstances—use a dispersant. (Th is is a U.S.
federal law.) - Open all vents, hatches, opening ports, and doors. Run the blowers for
5 minutes. Tour the vessel and sniff for vapor fumes. If you smell fuel, locate
the source before you start the engine. Aft er starting the engine, check the
waterline again for spills—paying particular attention to the area beneath
each fuel vent. Check the engine compartment for fuel leaks.
Galley Stove Safety Secrets
Stove fi res are the second-most common cause of boat fi res and explosion. Most
galley fi res result from failure to maintain a cooking watch. If you cook, whether
in port or underway, always be next to the stove, ready to snuff out fl are-ups
(a fl ame shooting up from the cooktop), burning food, or grease fi res.
Tools Needed for Safe
Refueling
X absorbent pads or baby diapers
X rags
X fuel fi ll cap key
X portable extinguisher on deck
(out of brackets)
X access to fuel gauge