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Course Outline

Evaporating gasoline creates vapours or fumes that are heavier than air. These vapours settle to the bottom of the pleasure craft where they could explode if enclosed areas, such as the bilge, are not ventilated properly to remove vapours.

After fueling:

  • Put the fill cap on tightly to prevent vapours from escaping.
  • Wipe up any spilled fuel and properly dispose of the used paper towels or rags on shore.
  • Open all windows, ports, doors, and other openings.
  • If your pleasure craft 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 vapours in the bilge.
  • Before starting the engine, sniff the bilge and engine compartment for fuel vapours. Continue ventilating until you cannot smell any fuel vapours. Consider installing a gas vapour detection and alarm device.
  • Start the engine and then reload your passengers.
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