News

Open Air Carbon Monoxide (CO) Danger

In addition to the general information on CO poisoning below, on April 23 2004 the Centers for Disease Control issued a report showing that carbon monoxide is a significant danger even in open air situations where most boaters might least expect it. Where previous reports described outdoor boat-related poisonings involving dangers to occupants of individual boats (e.g., houseboats and ski-boats), this report stresses the potential danger of simply being in the vicinity of a large number of idling powerboats. The report concludes: "Persons in communities with lakes and rivers where boats congregate in large numbers should be aware of the dangers of open air, boat-related CO poisoning and the need to evaluate CO exposures during high-traffic periods.....The risk for boat-related CO poisonings should be reduced by considering measures such as limiting the number of boats in certain areas; enforcing a "no idle" policy when boats are stationary; and warning vacationers of 1) the signs and symptoms of CO poisoning; 2) the hazards related to occupying the back of the boat any time the motor is running; and 3) the risk for CO poisoning in areas of boat congestion, especially during calm weather conditions."
[Posted: 30 April 2004. Source: Tony Morris, NADCO-MS]