FWB
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No, I wouldn't take the risk since there are safer alternatives available. Nothing is completely safe, it's just a matter of degree.
simple question - what is the most dangerous thing on a boat?
- Thread starter dylanwinter
- Start date
No, I wouldn't take the risk since there are safer alternatives available. Nothing is completely safe, it's just a matter of degree.
Greenheart
Well-Known Member
I guess that's true...but since (as you said yourself) LPG explosions on yachts are extremely rare, they can probably be blamed upon misuse or failure to maintain systems...
...and if all those countless thousands of so-far unexploded LPG-equipped yachts have owners who are significantly less risk-averse (and presumably more casual about potential danger) than yourself, wouldn't you be the last chap on earth to suffer a gas-accident on board, even if your water & cabin heaters, generator and auxiliary all ran on LPG?
This isn't meant to be a tirade - but you say "I wouldn't take the risk" - I can't believe that with your evident alertness to potential danger, there would be any risk.
...and if all those countless thousands of so-far unexploded LPG-equipped yachts have owners who are significantly less risk-averse (and presumably more casual about potential danger) than yourself, wouldn't you be the last chap on earth to suffer a gas-accident on board, even if your water & cabin heaters, generator and auxiliary all ran on LPG?
This isn't meant to be a tirade - but you say "I wouldn't take the risk" - I can't believe that with your evident alertness to potential danger, there would be any risk.
Gwylan
Well-Known Member
Water of course!
MAMiddleton
New Member
Like many others have said, the sailor. Not only for his control (or lack thereof) in the water, but for his responsibility to maintain a safe boat with reliable equipment and hardware. There's nothing worse than having something break when you're out on the water!
http://www.windrider.com/
http://www.windrider.com/
FWB
N/A
I can eliminate the risk by not risking it.
Greenheart
Well-Known Member
Woodlouse
Well-Known Member
It is a serious risk, albeit one that is taken into consideration from the very concept of most modern boats design to limit that risk as far as possible. Hence almost all boats built these days have self draining gas lockers and are fitted with alarms and solenoids and the gas fittings are by and large professionally installed. Also the safeties on the cookers have become better and more reliable with time. However there will always be a risk. You get no second chance with a gas explosion and whilst they are fortunately rare they still do happen so if some would rather remove that risk entirely and have a different means of firing their cooker then so be it.
There are of course other pros and cons to alternative cookers. A primus for example will burn hotter than a gas cooker and doesn't produce as much moisture either. Also there's the availability of the fuel and the economy at which it is used. Paraffin stoves are pretty good on both.
Then there is of course the challenge people, including myself, enjoy in lighting a primus. You just don't get the same satisfaction clicking the auto ignition on a gas cooker.
rotrax
Well-Known Member
I am pretty certain the most dangerous thing on a boat is the nut on the tiller or steering wheel.
Elessar
Well-Known Member
That's overkill. I reckon you eliminated it by recognising it.
Nope.
You mitigate with awareness, you eliminate by avoidance.
With precautions of course gas is safe enough for most people to be happy. I don't have gas so don't have to take the precautions, but that's just a bonus. The bigger issue for me with gas is cost and the nuisance factor of humping bottles and it not working when it's chilly outside. But it wouldn't be on my "most dangerous" list when used on a boat sensibly.
In interesting read here - "LPG can be a hazard, here's why"
http://www.boatsafetyscheme.org/media/154181/avoiding - lpg.pdf
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Searush
Well-Known Member
Humping & storing paraffin is just as bad, not sure it's any cheaper either and Propane works well at low temps. You are making problems up, but I do agree that the convenience of click & light LPG gas far outweighs any possible benefit of paraffin stoves. You may feel in need of a challenge when hungry & needing food, I do not.
Elessar
Well-Known Member
Urgent Safety Notices Concerning Gas Equipment
Recall of Calor Lite® cylinders 2008-11
Calor Gas Ltd has asked the BSS to help notify boaters that there is an immediate product recall on all 6kg Calor Lite® cylinders manufactured between 2008-2011 inclusive following concerns regarding the potential deterioration of the cylinder. Find out more here immediate recall information
Do you have a Beko, Flavel or Leisure LPG cooker installed on your boat?
Beko UK has an urgent safety notice and has asked for support from the Boat Safety Scheme.
There is an on-going Beko campaign to find and fix dangerous older models of Beko, Flavel and Leisure gas cookers that can produce potentially fatal levels of carbon monoxide, if used incorrectly with the grill door closed. Find out more here: Urgent Safety Alert
Recall of Calor Lite® cylinders 2008-11
Calor Gas Ltd has asked the BSS to help notify boaters that there is an immediate product recall on all 6kg Calor Lite® cylinders manufactured between 2008-2011 inclusive following concerns regarding the potential deterioration of the cylinder. Find out more here immediate recall information
Do you have a Beko, Flavel or Leisure LPG cooker installed on your boat?
Beko UK has an urgent safety notice and has asked for support from the Boat Safety Scheme.
There is an on-going Beko campaign to find and fix dangerous older models of Beko, Flavel and Leisure gas cookers that can produce potentially fatal levels of carbon monoxide, if used incorrectly with the grill door closed. Find out more here: Urgent Safety Alert
Elessar
Well-Known Member
I have a 1000 litre diesel tank which keeps the hob going for a while without humping anything
As for propane, butane is more readily available. So you have to have a propane bottle, and regulator stored and on standby for when it's cold. Most gas lockers can only store two bottles. Keep the propane in the anchor locker I suppose, that's self draining. Still a PITA so I never kept the propane on board. This is not a made up problem, I have had too made half cooked dinners! Well probably about 3 but that's too many
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Searush
Well-Known Member
Why would anyone use the grill with the door shut? And calor lite are probably not that appropriate for marine use either. It's a bit like saying, diesel drip-feed heaters cause fires & are dangerous, therefore I won't use diesel.
Elessar
Well-Known Member
Oi Rushy, you drew that conclusion for me- I posted for info not to say "i wouldn't use it because". Agree 100% with your diesel statement.
Greenheart
Well-Known Member
How is it a bonus, to wilfully avoid something which is convenient and reliable and which, given simple undemanding precautions, is perfectly safe?
Presumably you don't smoke on petrol station forecourts? Isn't that the same type of obvious, effortless precaution? Or, do you not bother with cars at all - as a "bonus"?
Sorry Elessar, I don't like sounding sarcastic. And I like to be safe...but I believe safety is best accessed by reasonable care, rather than by avoidance of a big potential benefit.
Searush
Well-Known Member
To be fair, Mike's boat was set up with diesel cooking facilities initially & has a huge tank for the engines anyway, so it actually makes sense to use a diesel cooker. After all AGA make diesel cookers too ya know - and I reckon he could get an AGA in his galley easily. :encouragement:
Have you considered an AGA on your cruising wayfarer?
Scotty_Tradewind
Well-Known Member
As gas is obviously a potentially dangerous system to have aboard, could we consider the boat that hasn't got enough
gas alarms fitted, may need a Dylan sign of some sort?
S.
gas alarms fitted, may need a Dylan sign of some sort?
S.
FWB
N/A
Dan, saying "gas is perfectly safe" has the potential for an accident. Gas, petrol, the boom, electric winches etc can be used safely if the potential for a mishap is understood.
Greenheart
Well-Known Member
I'm glad for Elessar, whose heating/cooking arrangements are doubtless more than adequate. He could probably cook electrically, with those diesels' alternators.
And by the way, my boat's an Osprey. As if you didn't know. :ambivalence:
Pretty sure that's what I meant, but thanks for clarifying.
Cock-ups, misunderstandings, neglect, intoxication, carelessness...all opportunities for potential dangers to leap out of their boxes and bite the unwary...
...but if one is wary to start with (without being paranoid) then the potential need never reach fruition.
It seems to me that folk who are so very alert to the inherent potential danger of LPG, are the least likely to suffer from accidents caused by carelessness or neglect.
JumbleDuck
Well-Known Member
I would expect primus stoves, with the dangers of flaring, to be orders of magnitude more hazardous on a boat than gas. Even worse if you preheat with meths.
