Regal 52 SC, Owner'S Manual

Page: 35 / 437

15
Safety On Board
Blockage of exhaust outlets
can cause carbon monoxide to
accumulate in the cabin and
cockpit area even when the
hatches, windows, portholes and
doors are open. Sea walls and other con fi ned spaces can
cause CO levels to be dangerously elevated.
Exhaust from another vessel
alongside your boat, while docked
or anchored, can emit poisonous
CO gas inside the cabin and
cockpit areas of your boat.
The “station wagon effect” or
backdrafting can cause CO gas
to accumulate inside the cabin,
cockpit/hardtop or bridge areas
when the boat is under-way,
using protective weather coverings, high bow angle,
improper or heavy loading, slow speeds, or when the boat is
at rest. Also, this can occur when behind another boat.
How does CO affect us?
In high concentrations, CO can be fatal in minutes.
However, the effects of lower concentrations over a
extended period of time can be just as lethal.
Our blood uses hemoglobin to carry the oxygen we breathe
to different body parts. Unfortunately, hemoglobin carries
CO more readily than it does oxygen. The result is when
we breathe in CO it replaces oxygen in our blood and we
begin to suffocate. Also, when we are removed from the
CO source it remains in our blood for hours causing long
term effects. People have been known to become sick and
even lose consciousness hours after exposure.
Carbon monoxide accumulation requires immediate
attention! Thoroughly ventilate cabin and cockpit areas.
Determine the probable source of the carbon monoxide
and correct the condition immediately. Anyone with
symptons of CO poisoning should be placed in a fresh
air environment and medical attention found immediately.
Regal has installed CO detectors on your boat. Have
these detectors professionally calibrated at regular
intervals according to the equipment manufacturer’s
recommendations.
A Few Notes About Diesel/CO Poisoning
The diesel engine under normal combustion produces
much smaller amounts of CO. Therefore, it is far less likely
to be fatal to a healthy person. Other factors including
weather, temperature and engine condition can greatly
affect the unsafe build-up of CO. The best approach is
to respect and treat the engine, generator and other vessel
components the same way you would a gasoline propulsion
system giving particular attention to the sources and
possible effects of CO poisoning.
Diesel exhaust in the combustion process produces various
components and the captain must be aware that the build-
up of these select components over a period of time can
cause CO or seasickness like symptoms.
These include carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide (CO),
nitrogen dioxide, nitric oxide, sulfur dioxide and others.
A healthy person breathing in sulfur dioxide over a period of time
through a diesel engine or generator exhaust can develop nausea.
This condition is not life threatening but the person may exhibit
CO poisoning or seasickness symptoms.
Just never rule out that
it could be CO poisoning! Immediately fi nd the source
of the problem and move the individual to a fresh air
environment.