BOATING: Dealing With Dangerous Gasoline Vapors captfidoe Photo: Telegram. By Captain Reg Fidoe, The Raleigh Telegram RALEIGH - Did you ever think about the trouble that fuel vapors could cause on your boat? The potential danger can run through the full spectrum of probabilities. Good safety practices reduce the odds to a miniscule level, while bad safety practices raise the odds to a terrifying level. The potential danger from a fire or an explosion varies with the type of fuel that you carry. Gasoline and diesel fuel are the categories that we deal with on recreational and small commercial vessels. They are both combustible liquids. The difference between the risks associated with these fuels has to do with the “flash point” of each of them. The “flash point” of a combustible liquid is the temperature above which its vapors will ignite from a spark or open flame. The lower the flash point, the more hazardous the fuel will be at ambient temperatures. Gasoline’s flash point is much lower than that of diesel fuel. Gas vapors will ignite at room temperatures and below, while diesel fuel vapors require a higher temperature to reach the flash point. Ventilation is the key to safe fuel storage and handling onboard. If there are no fuel vapors lingering around, an open flame or spark has nothing to ignite. That’s why we have a “bilge blower” in our engine compartment. Operating the bilge blower for 4-6 minutes will make at least one complete air change in an engine compartment. In the event of spilled fuel or a leak, the fumes will be flushed out. The operation of your bilge blower for 4-6 minutes is recommended before starting and after refueling. Based on manufacturing standards, your bilge blower should be sized for the engine compartment and make at least one complete air change over the 4-6 minute time frame. In the event that you need to replace your bilge blower, replace it with a unit that has at least the same capacity. While refueling, all hatches and openings should be closed to prevent fumes from entering your boat. Also, static electricity is another consideration while refueling, since the fuel movement through the hose can cause a static charge to build up. Keep the fuel nozzle against the deck fitting of your fuel fill. That fitting is grounded and will dissipate any static charge. In the event that you are refueling your fishing boat and fill your “rod holder” instead of your tank, all bets are off. Don’t laugh; it has been done more than a few times. It is usually the result one of your “landlubber” friends just trying to be helpful. Some rod holders in the gunwale (pronounced “gunnel”) open up into the fishing cockpit. In other cases, the gunwale is enclosed and the rod holders empty into the bilge. In the latter case, you could be filling your bilge with fuel. There are two signs of this error. First, your fuel tank appears to take over twice the amount of its capacity. Second, your bilge pump switches on and pumps the fuel out into the water all around you. To avoid refueling calamities, simply pay attention and follow all safety practices. It isn’t too difficult to refuel safely, and remember to always sniff the fuel nozzle to ensure you are putting the correct fuel in your tank. Until next time, I wish fair winds and may the depth of water always exceed the draft of your vessel. :: ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Captain Reg Fidoe is the chief instructor of World Wide Marine Training, Inc., a U.S. Coast Guard Approved facility authorized to give examinations for captain’s licenses up to 200 Ton Master, Able Seaman up to Unlimited, STCW, and other Endorsements. In addition we offer CPR/First Aid classes on the first Saturday of each month wegivethetest or call toll-free 866-249-2135. Article Posted: Monday, July 22nd, 2013.
Posted on: Tue, 23 Jul 2013 14:47:16 +0000
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