Ventilation
All boats which use gasoline for electrical generation,
mechanical power or propulsion are required to be equipped with a ventilation system.
A natural ventilation system is required for each compartment in a boat that:
- contains a permanently installed gasoline engine;
- has openings between it and a compartment that requires ventilation;
- contains a permanently installed fuel tank and an electrical component that is not
ignition-protected;
- contains a fuel tank that vents into that compartment (including a portable tank); and
- contains a non-metallic fuel tank.
A natural ventilation system consists of:
- A supply opening of duct from the atmosphere (located on the exterior surface of the
boat) or from a ventilated compartment or from a compartment that is open to the
atmosphere; and
- An exhaust opening into another ventilated compartment or an exhaust duct to the
atmosphere.
Each exhaust opening or exhaust duct must originate in the lower
one-third of the compartment. Each supply opening or supply duct and each exhaust opening
or duct in a compartment must be above the normal accumulation of bilge water.
A powered ventilation system is required for each compartment in a boat that has a
permanently installed gasoline engine with a cranking motor for remote starting.
A powered ventilation system consists of one or more exhaust blowers. Each intake duct for
an exhaust blower must be in the lower one-third of the compartment and above the normal
accumulation of bilge water.
For boats built prior to 1980, there was no requirement for a powered ventilation system;
however, some boats were equipped with a blower.
The Coast Guard Ventilation Standard, a manufacturer requirement, applies to all boats
built on or after August 1, 1980. Some builders began manufacturing boats in compliance
with the Ventilation Standard as early as August 1978. If your boats were built on or
after August 1, 1978 it might have been equipped with either (1) a natural ventilation
system, or (2) both a natural ventilation system and a powered ventilation system. If your
boat bears a label containing the words "This boat complies with U.S. Coast Guard
safety standards," etc., you can assume that the design of your boat's ventilation
system meets applicable regulations.
Manufacturers of boats built after 1980 with remote starters are
required to display a label which contains the following information:
WARNING
Gasoline vapors can explode. Before starting engine, operate blower at least 4 minutes and
check engine compartment bilge for gasoline vapors. |
All owners of boats equipped with exhaust blowers are strongly encouraged to take the same
precautions before starting a gasoline engine.
All owners are responsible for keeping their boat's ventilation
systems in operating condition. This means making sure openings are free of
obstructions, ducts are not blocked or torn, blowers operate properly, and worn components
are replaced with equivalent marine type equipment.
For the CME, all blower motors installed in exhaust ducts must be in
working condition regardless of date of manufacture.
|
