Run those Bilge Blowers!

[tgrace98]

Well a boat exploded yesterday down here at Table Rock yesterday after fueling up. I don't know how you all handling gassing up on the water but I run my blower the entire time and for at least 3-5 minutes after they are done. Usually the time it takes for them to go run my card and get everyone back in the boat and un tie. But a lesson everyone should be reminded of.

https://www.ky3.com/content/news/Five-p ... 93331.html

[Photo_G]

This is terrible! My thoughts and prayers go out to the injured, their family, the courageous dock hands and the marina. That's some great advice on fueling procedures TGrace!

Thanks,
G

[AsLan7]

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...keep those engine hatches closed during refueling (to keep fumes out) and then open them after refueling for maximum aeration. Do a sniff test before starting.

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[BigGib]

This happened at LOTO a couple of weeks ago too, saw the boat being towed and it was split in two from the deck and hull. The video from the gas dock was crazy.

[Bfun220]

I turn all electrical off during fuelling. After fuelling is done we normally get icecream. Then run the blower for 3-5 minutes before starting.

[tgrace98]

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...keep those engine hatches closed during refueling (to keep fumes out) and then open them after refueling for maximum aeration. Do a sniff test before starting.

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Another great point! Way I look at it replacing a 50
Dollar blower is easier than replacing the whole boat or someone getting hurt

[cmattj]

I turn all electrical off during fuelling. After fuelling is done we normally get icecream. Then run the blower for 3-5 minutes before starting.

I’ve cream! I’m riding with Bfun.
Yes blower and a hatch pop is always my routine.

[Big Block Power]

Very seldom do I fuel on the water. It's a 20 minute car ride to the launch and I still run the blower longer. I don't get how people don't let it air out. Again all of these employees at these docks with gas pumps should be telling them to open the hatch and turn the blower on. It will save there life also

[willyswagon]

So much misinformation about refueling out there. Blowers should only be turned on after fueling, and all hatches and companion ways are to remain closed during fueling to prevent the fumes, which are heavier than air from entering bilges and void spaces. We go to 2-3 explosions per season in our area where the proper proccedures are not followed. Here is what Transport Canada Marine Safety has listed in their manuals. Take it for what it's worth.

Extreme caution should be used while refuelling, because gasoline vapours are highly explosive. Use the following steps to refuel safely.
1. Moor vessel securely. Make sure an extinguisher designed for oil fires is handy.
2. Shut off engine. Anyone not involved with fuelling should leave the vessel.
3. Extinguish all cigarettes, stoves, heaters, or any other open flame. Turn off exposed lights.
4. Close hatches, doors and ports. Take portable tanks ashore.
5. Don’t use electrical switches.
6. Ground the fuel nozzle against the filler pipe. Do not overfill the tank.
7. Wipe up any spills. Turn on the blower for at least five minutes, and ventilate cabins and enclosed spaces.
8. Check for vapour odours with a "sniffer" device and by smell.
9. Start engines, and allow crew to reboard.
10. Keep a fire extinguisher handy.


Stay Safe out there, I'm busy enough as it is!

[AsLan7]

So much misinformation about refueling out there. Blowers should only be turned on after fueling, and all hatches and companion ways are to remain closed during fueling to prevent the fumes, which are heavier than air from entering bilges and void spaces. We go to 2-3 explosions per season in our area where the proper proccedures are not followed. Here is what Transport Canada Marine Safety has listed in their manuals. Take it for what it's worth.

Extreme caution should be used while refuelling, because gasoline vapours are highly explosive. Use the following steps to refuel safely.
1. Moor vessel securely. Make sure an extinguisher designed for oil fires is handy.
2. Shut off engine. Anyone not involved with fuelling should leave the vessel.
3. Extinguish all cigarettes, stoves, heaters, or any other open flame. Turn off exposed lights.
4. Close hatches, doors and ports. Take portable tanks ashore.
5. Don’t use electrical switches.
6. Ground the fuel nozzle against the filler pipe. Do not overfill the tank.
7. Wipe up any spills. Turn on the blower for at least five minutes, and ventilate cabins and enclosed spaces.
8. Check for vapour odours with a "sniffer" device and by smell.
9. Start engines, and allow crew to reboard.
10. Keep a fire extinguisher handy.


Stay Safe out there, I'm busy enough as it is!

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Hey, that’s a great point WW. Hatches and blower go up and on respectively after refueling. That was even on our boating exam so many years ago. We had somehow mixed it up —thinking it was at the beginning of refueling. Thank you for setting the record straight....and maybe saving our lives.

I’ll edit my post above to reflect the correct procedure so no one mixes it up.

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Boat US recommended refueling procedure
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[Big Block Power]

Again thank you for your experience and keeping us safe. Glad your part of the group.

[Bfun220]

Yup, I don't open anything before during or after. Get me some icecream and run the blower.

[willyswagon]

Again thank you for your experience and keeping us safe. Glad your part of the group.

Glad to be part of it all. Great knowledge base here for sure. Remember that PWCs (Sea Doo, Wave Runners etc) have no blowers. Pull the seat to check for fumes, We've gone to several where sloppy fueling(spillage on the fill pipe gasket) has allowed fuel to get into enine compartment, causing explosion on start up.

[justpushplay]

So much misinformation about refueling out there. Blowers should only be turned on after fueling, and all hatches and companion ways are to remain closed during fueling to prevent the fumes, which are heavier than air from entering bilges and void spaces.

I don't mean to be contrary to some great advice here, but i have always turned off the blower during the actual fuel fill. As soon as fueling is complete and the nozzle back in the pump, THEN the blower comes on. I don't want to create a vacuum in the bilge that could draw fumes in from the nozzle.

BTW tgrace98, was that a Cobalt that caught fire?

[AsLan7]

So much misinformation about refueling out there. Blowers should only be turned on after fueling, and all hatches and companion ways are to remain closed during fueling to prevent the fumes, which are heavier than air from entering bilges and void spaces.

I don't mean to be contrary to some great advice here, but i have always turned off the blower during the actual fuel fill. As soon as fueling is complete and the nozzle back in the pump, THEN the blower comes on. I don't want to create a vacuum in the bilge that could draw fumes in from the nozzle.

BTW tgrace98, was that a Cobalt that caught fire?

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That’s the correct procedure jpp. Blower is turned on for 3-5 minutes AFTER filling up.

Some slight confusion at the start of the thread but WW set it straight.

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