Monterey Boats 378SE, Owner'S Manual

Page: 102 / 210

102
MONTEREY
BOATS
Ventilation System
10.3 Carbon Monoxide
& Proper Ventilation
DANGER
FAILURE TO PROPERLY VENTILATE THE BOAT WHILE THE
ENGINES OR GENERATOR 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 pro-
duced by all engines and gas heating and cooking
appliances. The most common sources of CO on
boats are gasoline engines, auxiliary generators
and propane or butane stoves. These produce
large amounts of CO and should never be oper-
ated while sleeping. The hazard also may be cre-
ated 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, helm area and
cabin, that can be created by the forward speed
of the boat.
Boats underway should close all aft facing hatches
and doors. 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
ventilation should be maintained at the helm and
passenger seat by opening the windshield vent
panel to help pressurize the cockpit area. The
canvas drop or aft curtain must be removed and
the hardtop side windows opened to increase air
flow and maintain proper ventilation whenever the
engines are running. Under no circumstances
should the engines be operating with side
windows 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
operating. Wind still nights can easily allow ex-
haust fumes, containing high concentrations of
Back Drafting / Station Wagon
Effect - at cruising speed with
no forward ventilation
Back Drafting / Station Wagon
Effect - at cruising speed with
canvas closed
Slow Speed or Boat Stopped
w/ engines running - CO can
accumulate in cabin, cockpit &
bridge
Desired Air Flow Through the
Boat
Onboard Generator Exhaust -
exhaust accumulates because
of bulkhead.
Nearby Generator Exhaust -
wind carries exhaust to the
other boat
Carbon Monoxide Detector