Hello boater! Effective July 17, 2009, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources changed their guidelines for distance learning. Students are now required to spend a minimum amount of time on each course page before proceeding to the certification exam.

Click here to go to the latest version of the Boat Illinois online course—the official boating safety course of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Fuel Your Vessel—Safely

Serious accidents can occur when fueling. Never fuel at night unless it is an emergency. If you must refuel after dark, use only electric lights. To protect the water environment, try to refuel away from the water or on a commercial fueling ramp.

Before beginning to fuel, you should turn off anything that might cause a spark—engines, fans, or electrical equipment. Shut off all fuel valves and extinguish all open flames, such as galley stoves and pilot lights. Close all windows, ports, doors, and other openings to prevent fumes from entering the boat. While filling the fuel tank, use caution and fill the tank slowly to avoid spilling fuel into the boat's bilge or into the water.

After fueling, open all windows, ports, doors, and other openings.If your boat is equipped with a power ventilation system (exhaust blower), turn it on for at least four minutes before starting your engine. This will help eliminate fuel vapors in the bilge. Before starting the engine, sniff the bilge and engine compartment for fuel vapors. Continue ventilating until you cannot smell any fuel vapors.