Check for fuel vapours, water safety watchdog warns
Petrol vapours are a significant danger onboard, and minimising the risk of an explosion is keyAustralia’s peak marine safety authority has called on boaters to be aware of the risk of explosions caused by fuel vapours lying undisturbed in boats.
“Petrol vapours are denser than air so any petrol leaks or vapours can accumulate in a vessel's bilge, or in low parts of a cabin if the area is not properly ventilated,” the Australian Maritime Safety Authority has warned.
“When petrol vapours mix with air within a specific concentration range, the mixture becomes explosive.
“Exposure of accumulated petrol vapours to an ignition source may result in an explosion and fire with potentially catastrophic consequences,” it said.
AMSA warned that an explosion could be triggered by a number of ignition sources, including smoking, naked flames or pilot lights, sparks from mobile phones, portable and fixed electrical equipment, welding, grinding, cutting, exhaust pipes, static electricity, and sparks generated from something as innocent as a hammer blow.
It said boats with either non-compliant or poorly maintained fuel systems – such as a perished fuel tank with pinhole leaks – were at a greater risk of sparking an explosion or fire than properly maintained ones.
There are also risks linked to refuelling.
AMSA says the risk of an explosion and boat fire can be minimised by:
- Ensuring the boat’s fuel system meets industry standards, and is inspected by a marine surveyor
- Ventilating vapours from areas where they may accumulate, such as the engine room, bilge and below decks
- Using petrol vapour alarms to check conditions are safe
- Switching off or avoiding the use of sources of ignition
- Removing stored and spilt fuel
- Properly maintaining electrical equipment
Owners can also minimise risks while refuelling:
- Minimise the number of people on board while refuelling, and when you restart the boat after refuelling to minimise injury should something go wrong
- Turn off the engine and isolate the boat’s battery
- Don’t use your mobile phone or radio
- Use fans to flush out areas that could accumulate fuel vapours
Don’t start the engine if a vapour alarm sounds, and if you’re using tote tanks, refuel them in a well-ventilated area. It also pays to inspect rubber fuel lines each time you connect or disconnect them to check for pinches or cracks, and replace them at the first sign that they’re not in perfect condition.
If you’re carrying spare fuel, store it in a tightly capped, secure container in a well-ventilated area.
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