Perils of petrol fumes in the bilge

[Bajansailor]

I thought I would post this note as a reminder to everyone with petrol on their boats to please be very vigilant about fumes in the bilge - they do not get on very well with any naked flame, as my pal below found out (the hard way) recently.

He is a marine surveyor and former tankerman - we had not heard from him for a couple of months, so I scribbled a note to find out if he was OK - and I just received the reply below:
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"Damage (to me) was a bit worse than I thought & I have spent the last 8 weeks in & out of hospital - all ok now though".

"Very embarrassed to say that it was all my own fault. I blew my own (ex!) boat up. Suffice to say that there were petroleum fumes in the bilges and a naked flame (gas torch) involved. Could have been a lot worse as the petrol tank (containing 60 gallons) was about the only thing to survive intact. I was blown 30 feet away into the water and would have been ok except that the helm console was also blown off the boat and hit me on the back on the way past - broke 3 ribs & did some internal damage. You may not know it but I have done tanker safety courses (teaching) and loads of fire/safety/chemical courses etc. I wish I'd paid attention to what I was saying!!!"
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I think this demonstrates well that accidents can happen to the best and most experienced people in the field as well as newbies - in fact newbies are probably more inclined to take extra safety precautions!

 

[jaguarmk2]

reading this just got me to think about my petrol generator being stored in the bilge area next to my ebepacher heaters its a diesel powered boat so i did not worry about petrol storage before, we should learn to expect the worst, only a couple of months ago two lads were seriously burned when their boat exploded on loch Lomond

 

[Its_Only_Money]

Xintex in the US do a good petrol vapour sensor, I got mine from West Marine in the US, it alarms at 20% of the Lower Explosive Limit (ie at 1/5 of the concentration needed for it to combust), and will automatically run the bilge blower until the alarm condition is resolved. (I have the model MB-1 but search on "Xintex" to see the range)

Gives me piece of mind....not too expensive either ($180 for my version, the cheaper v ersion that alarms but can´t run the blower is $145), at the current exchange rate. Easy to test via a controlled amount of petrol on a rag held near the sensor and spare replacement sensors are available, the unit takes either a new or existing 2" dia gauge position on the dashboard - I can´t speak highly enough of it as a satisfied customer!

Obviously it is aimed at petrol powered boats but the non-blower model would be a good addition to any petrol storage location on any boat IMHO - the same sensor detect propane as well I believe (but I´m not happy with gas on a boat!)

 

[Wiggo]

Hmmm. We're diesel, and the only petrol on board is spare fuel for the tender. That's kept in the gas locker, so it drains overboard.