Friday, August 21, 2009

Don't Blow your Boat!

Growing up on Lake Mead with my family, I've had boating safety drilled into my head from every relative I know. Even now, its a good reminder to think about those steps we should take when going boating. Its also important to teach others that you boat with these precautions to prevent horrible events from happening.

My friends, who were not boaters before I met them, will tell you I am always about being safe when out and enjoying the lake and boat. It always amazes me to see other visitors to the lake that can make such crazy and often stupid decisions when they are out there, whether it's prop safety, swimming in the middle of the lake, riding on your boat wrong or not using your blower.

So yesterday evening a boat at Callville Bay blew up because, apparently, the blower was not turned on. The details are limited, but it's so imperative that you follow safety guidelines when it comes to your boat and boating. Channel 3 - KVBC LVRJ

Boating is such a great activity but you don't want your day to end or begin with police, medics, and you and your loved ones hurt by not taking simple safety precautions.

How does it happen?
You need three things to make your engine run - Fuel, compression, & spark. So for decades, boat builders have been putting blowers in engine compartments to release fumes from the engine that with spark from your starter and flywheel could create an explosion. Now this is the short version. The important part to know and understand is how to avoid explosion.

How do you avoid this?
When getting ready to use your boat, whether on the launch ramp, in the slip, at the gas dock, the beach, or floating in the middle of the lake, you should always turn the blower on for 3 to 5 minutes to expel any fumes that may be in the engine compartment. If it's the first time of the day or the season - open your engine compartment, take a look around, take a wiff with your nose. If anything smells or looks funny. STOP right there. Fuel smells are bad. Fuel in your bilge is worse. If you smell anything "funny" or see anything wrong, you need to find out whats going on right away.

If you just fueled up, it is absolutely imperative that you check out your bilge and engine compartment. You could have a pin hole leak in your hose that could allow fuel to get into your bilge or your rubber products could be compromised because of age or wear. Open your engine compartment and stick your head down there every time.

These simple steps can save your life. Smell, look, blower!! It could happen to any of us, anytime. So know your boat, check out your engine, and boat safe!

I'm a big proponent of boating safety courses. Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW), Coast Guard Auxiliary, and Power Squadron all offer boating classes. Most classes are free or have a nominal fee. Stop by our website at http://www.boatinglakemead.com/ or send me an email for more info on boating safety classes.

And remember, anyone born after January 1, 1983 is required to take a boating safety course and carry their boating safety card.

Well, go boat! Have fun and be safe!!!
Out for now,
Candice

1 comment:

  1. When asked "does the bilge blower work", the guy I bought my boat from said "Yes, it works. I never use it though because I don't like it". From that I guess I can deduce that it is safe to operate my boat without making use of the bilge blower :O ... Not!

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