Monterey Boats 350 Sport Yacht, Owner'S Manual

Page: 68 / 196

350 SPORT YACHT
68
Always make sure the windows are closed and
secured with the cam levers whenever the boat is
underway. Sea spray could enter the cabin through
an open window and damage upholstery, wood-
work and cabin equipment.
8.2 Carbon Monoxide and Proper
Ventilation
FAILURE TO PROPERLY VENTILATE THE BOAT
WHILE THE ENGINES ARE RUNNING MAY
PERMIT CARBON MONOXIDE TO ACCUMULATE
WITHIN THE CABIN AND OPEN AREAS OF YOUR
BOAT. CARBON MONOXIDE IS A COLORLESS
AND ODORLESS GAS THAT IS LETHAL WHEN
INHALED. CARE MUST BE TAKEN TO
PROPERLY VENTILATE THE BOAT AND TO AVOID
CARBON MONOXIDE FROM ACCUMULATING IN
THE BOAT WHENEVER AN ENGINE IS RUNNING.
A by-product of combustion, carbon monoxide (CO)
is invisible, tasteless, odorless, and is produced
by all engines and gas heating and cooking appli-
ances. The most common sources of CO on boats
are gasoline engines, auxiliary generators and pro-
pane or butane stoves. These produce large
amounts of CO and should never be operated while
sleeping. The hazard also may be created by a
boat nearby whose exhaust fumes are entering
your boat. Boats also have a problem due to the
“station wagon effect” where engine exhaust fumes
are captured in the vacuum or low pressure area,
usually the cockpit, bridge deck and cabin, that
can be created by the forward speed of the boat.
Boats underway should close all aft facing hatches
and doors. The forward facing deck hatches should
be open whenever possible to help pressurize the
living spaces of the boat. No sleeping in the cabin
should be permitted while underway. Proper ven-
tilation should be maintained on the bridge deck
by opening windshield or forward clear connector
vents, as far as possible to help pressurize the
cockpit area. The canvas drop or aft curtain must
be removed and the side curtains should be opened
or removed to increase air flow and maintain proper
ventilation whenever the engines are running.
Under no circumstances should the engines be
operating with side curtains closed and the aft
or drop curtain installed.
Extreme caution must be taken while at anchor or
in a slip when an auxiliary power generator is op-
erating. Wind still nights can easily allow ex-
haust fumes, containing high concentrations of
CO, from the generator on your boat or from an
adjacent boat's generator to enter the boat. The
exhaust fumes may enter your boat through open
hatches or windows.
Carbon monoxide detectors have been installed in
your cabin as standard equipment. While a CO
detector enhances your protection from CO poi-
soning, it does not guarantee it will not occur.
Do not use the carbon monoxide detector as a
replacement for ordinary precautions or periodic
inspections of equipment. Never rely on alarm
systems to save your life, common sense is still
prudent and necessary. Remember, the operator
of the boat carries the ultimate responsibility to
make sure the boat is properly ventilated and the
passengers are not exposed to dangerous levels
of carbon monoxide. You should always be alert
to the symptoms and early warning signs of car-
bon monoxide poisoning. You also should read the
“Carbon Monoxide Monitoring System” in the Safety
Equipment chapter of this manual, and the owner’s
manual supplied by the CO detector manufacturer
for operation instructions and additional informa-
tion regarding the hazards and symptoms of car-
bon monoxide poisoning.