El Primo Klutzo has allowed about 5 gallons of premixed, 2 cycle gasoline to siphon from his portable tank into the cabin and bilge on a HOT summer day. Whew ... what a job that was to clean up! But the smell won't go away. Is there hope? Will Mother Nature eventually vaporize the residue? What have other Klutzes who have gone befor me done? Inquiring minds want to know.
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
Eeek! Mother nature could vaporize your boat!
I've owned boats with gas engines and generators all my life. Contrary to myth, they're quite safe, but require paying attention, 'cuz gas fumes--unlike diesel fumes--are explosive. It takes gas to produce gas fumes, and if you're still smelling gas fumes, there's still gas in your bilge. It doesn't have to be much...the fumes from just a cupful of gas have the explosive power of 10 sticks of dynamite. Gas fumes are also heavier than air...they migrate to the lowest point in the point. So you need to flood your bilge with lots and lots of detergent and water, then rinse thoroughly. And then leave all hatches open to let plenty of fresh air circulate to dissipate any remaining fumes that have become trapped. Meanwhile, don't even THINK of operating anything electrical or electronic on the boat. This prob'ly isn't the time to ask you why on earth you had a portable gas tank in your cabin. But you do need to know that portable gas tanks shouldn't even be ANYwhere in the boat while you're filling them. Always take it out, and set it on the dock. Once it's full, make sure the fill, discharge and vent are securely capped before setting it back in the boat. If it's necessary to move it with gas in it, make sure it's securely capped first...and NEVER store it in the cabin. This is a good time, however, to suggest that you take a CG Aux or USPS boating safety course...it includes how to handle gasoline aboard safely. Meanwhile, I can't stress strongly enough that gas fumes in your boat is nothing to take lightly. Wash and air out till you get rid of 'em completely before using your boat again.
I've owned boats with gas engines and generators all my life. Contrary to myth, they're quite safe, but require paying attention, 'cuz gas fumes--unlike diesel fumes--are explosive. It takes gas to produce gas fumes, and if you're still smelling gas fumes, there's still gas in your bilge. It doesn't have to be much...the fumes from just a cupful of gas have the explosive power of 10 sticks of dynamite. Gas fumes are also heavier than air...they migrate to the lowest point in the point. So you need to flood your bilge with lots and lots of detergent and water, then rinse thoroughly. And then leave all hatches open to let plenty of fresh air circulate to dissipate any remaining fumes that have become trapped. Meanwhile, don't even THINK of operating anything electrical or electronic on the boat. This prob'ly isn't the time to ask you why on earth you had a portable gas tank in your cabin. But you do need to know that portable gas tanks shouldn't even be ANYwhere in the boat while you're filling them. Always take it out, and set it on the dock. Once it's full, make sure the fill, discharge and vent are securely capped before setting it back in the boat. If it's necessary to move it with gas in it, make sure it's securely capped first...and NEVER store it in the cabin. This is a good time, however, to suggest that you take a CG Aux or USPS boating safety course...it includes how to handle gasoline aboard safely. Meanwhile, I can't stress strongly enough that gas fumes in your boat is nothing to take lightly. Wash and air out till you get rid of 'em completely before using your boat again.
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Art Barnes
Stop - Stop - Stop
Stop, do not start the boat or turn anything on. Gas fumes are explosive. Three months ago we lost two sailors, husband and wife in the Sacramento (CA) delta when a gas fumes exploded. The 23 foot sailboat exploded into three hundred parts including the two new sailors on board. Open all hatches, fill up the bilge with water and some soap. Continue to fill the bilge until it is almost overflowing; up to the sole. Hand bucket (plastic only!) the bilge and sponge it almost dry; then do it again and one more time after that. You cannot be too careful with gasoline. Wait for a day or so and get down to the bottom and smell for gas fumes. As the other writer said, " a cup is like 10 sticks". I do take issue with your other response that gasoline is basically safe though, don't believe it, it isn't. The reason it is safe in vehicles is gasoline systems are out in the air, no waterlines, no deep bilges, etc. Must be extremely careful of gasoline powered boats. I have owned them. When I am aboard one, I go to the lowest part of the boat and start smelling; even before the captain wants to start the blower! As the other response said, why did you ever bring gas into your cabin? Consider youself very fortunate that you are still here and learn from this incident. Be safe on the water at all times. Fairwinds, Art
Stop, do not start the boat or turn anything on. Gas fumes are explosive. Three months ago we lost two sailors, husband and wife in the Sacramento (CA) delta when a gas fumes exploded. The 23 foot sailboat exploded into three hundred parts including the two new sailors on board. Open all hatches, fill up the bilge with water and some soap. Continue to fill the bilge until it is almost overflowing; up to the sole. Hand bucket (plastic only!) the bilge and sponge it almost dry; then do it again and one more time after that. You cannot be too careful with gasoline. Wait for a day or so and get down to the bottom and smell for gas fumes. As the other writer said, " a cup is like 10 sticks". I do take issue with your other response that gasoline is basically safe though, don't believe it, it isn't. The reason it is safe in vehicles is gasoline systems are out in the air, no waterlines, no deep bilges, etc. Must be extremely careful of gasoline powered boats. I have owned them. When I am aboard one, I go to the lowest part of the boat and start smelling; even before the captain wants to start the blower! As the other response said, why did you ever bring gas into your cabin? Consider youself very fortunate that you are still here and learn from this incident. Be safe on the water at all times. Fairwinds, Art
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hp, gary Jensen
watch those fumes
Vent the boat as much as you can. If you can set up a fan outside your boat and channel the circulation down the hatch and out the companionway it will accelerate the evaporation. I would then use a degreaser and wipe the bilge real well. One gallon of gasoline, vapotized has the same potential as two sticks of dynamite!!! Remember that the fan should be kept outside the boat where the motor has no chance to be in the enviroment where thw fumes would be within the "explosive range"...I had almost 30 years as a professional firefighter----trust me!!!!
Vent the boat as much as you can. If you can set up a fan outside your boat and channel the circulation down the hatch and out the companionway it will accelerate the evaporation. I would then use a degreaser and wipe the bilge real well. One gallon of gasoline, vapotized has the same potential as two sticks of dynamite!!! Remember that the fan should be kept outside the boat where the motor has no chance to be in the enviroment where thw fumes would be within the "explosive range"...I had almost 30 years as a professional firefighter----trust me!!!!
P
Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
If gas engines on boats weren't safe,
99% of powerboats--at least those under 40'--wouldn't have gas engines...almost all 21-40' powerboats have gas inboard (I/O or straight inboard) engines. And in fact, gas is way down the list of causes for fires aboard--electrical is first, followed by alcohol stoves (in fact, there's a post on the CWBB right now about a boat that burned to the waterline...cause: an alcohol stove). I grant you that diesel engines are SAFER...they do allow owners to completely ignore them--but that doesn't mean that gas engines aren't safe, it only means that diesel engines save fools from themselves and relieve sailboat builders of a whole bunch liability exposure. In fact, gas engines require less maintenance, are more suited to the type of use they're subjected to on sailboats--cold start, short hop--and gas powered boats don't have anywhere near the fuel related problems that are so common on diesel powered sailboats. The only real advantage to diesel is fuel efficiency. However, gas engines and gasoline do require respect and close attention. Not even the faintest sign of fumes should be ignored. But as long as they are given the respect and attention they require, gas inboard engines on boats are quite safe. The key, as it is in any other system, is regular inspection and preventive maintenance. And btw...the lowest point in the boat may not be where any fumes are...for instance, on my most recent boat, the lowest point was under the v-berth...the engine room was midship and the gas tanks were under the cockpit. Any gas fumes would have to migrate through the engine room firewall to get the lowest point in the bilges on that boat. But any skipper who doesn't lift engine hatches and sniff for fumes BEFORE starting the blowers is irresponsible. Although blower motors are spark protected, a frayed wire to a blower and gas fumes can be a deadly combination.
99% of powerboats--at least those under 40'--wouldn't have gas engines...almost all 21-40' powerboats have gas inboard (I/O or straight inboard) engines. And in fact, gas is way down the list of causes for fires aboard--electrical is first, followed by alcohol stoves (in fact, there's a post on the CWBB right now about a boat that burned to the waterline...cause: an alcohol stove). I grant you that diesel engines are SAFER...they do allow owners to completely ignore them--but that doesn't mean that gas engines aren't safe, it only means that diesel engines save fools from themselves and relieve sailboat builders of a whole bunch liability exposure. In fact, gas engines require less maintenance, are more suited to the type of use they're subjected to on sailboats--cold start, short hop--and gas powered boats don't have anywhere near the fuel related problems that are so common on diesel powered sailboats. The only real advantage to diesel is fuel efficiency. However, gas engines and gasoline do require respect and close attention. Not even the faintest sign of fumes should be ignored. But as long as they are given the respect and attention they require, gas inboard engines on boats are quite safe. The key, as it is in any other system, is regular inspection and preventive maintenance. And btw...the lowest point in the boat may not be where any fumes are...for instance, on my most recent boat, the lowest point was under the v-berth...the engine room was midship and the gas tanks were under the cockpit. Any gas fumes would have to migrate through the engine room firewall to get the lowest point in the bilges on that boat. But any skipper who doesn't lift engine hatches and sniff for fumes BEFORE starting the blowers is irresponsible. Although blower motors are spark protected, a frayed wire to a blower and gas fumes can be a deadly combination.
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Tim Schaaf
And by the way,
while you are filling your bilge with water and soap, be sure to de-activate your automatic bilge pump switch.
while you are filling your bilge with water and soap, be sure to de-activate your automatic bilge pump switch.
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Warren
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Rob Rich
Also, watch inhalation...
It is possible to get a head full of fumes if you are spending a lot of time in the cabin cleaing up fuel. VOC's (volitile organic compounds), when inhaled in small amounts, can cause confusion and even unconsciousness. Make sure, like the other post said, to have all hatches open and make sure the boat is pointed into or away from the wind, so that you have a constant supply of tons of fresh air. DOn't even think about working down there on a still day. Also - Peggy - THANKS! Want to know what I find annoying? It's not slatting halyards so much as people who continue to believe gasoline is DANGEROUS on boats. It is not, but negligence in its presence certainly is. Your post was well stated, and more people should read it. Rob
It is possible to get a head full of fumes if you are spending a lot of time in the cabin cleaing up fuel. VOC's (volitile organic compounds), when inhaled in small amounts, can cause confusion and even unconsciousness. Make sure, like the other post said, to have all hatches open and make sure the boat is pointed into or away from the wind, so that you have a constant supply of tons of fresh air. DOn't even think about working down there on a still day. Also - Peggy - THANKS! Want to know what I find annoying? It's not slatting halyards so much as people who continue to believe gasoline is DANGEROUS on boats. It is not, but negligence in its presence certainly is. Your post was well stated, and more people should read it. Rob
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