A boat houses a kitchen, heating, fuel and power all in a space smaller than the average living space, and then puts it all on water. Alarming? Not really. Most risks come from a handful of ordinary things, and they become easy to manage once you know where they are.
Carbon monoxide
The biggest risk comes from carbon monoxide. It is odorless and invisible. Sources of carbon monoxide on a boat include the engine, generator, gas appliances, and stove. In a small confined space, carbon monoxide can build up very quickly. The best defense against carbon monoxide is an alarm. Place one in your living quarters, and one near where you sleep, and test them.
In a closed cabin, ventilation is very important. Making sure your exhaust vents are clear and your stove flue is swept are essential. It is important to never run a generator or engine with the exhaust pointing in the cabin. Also, never use a barbecue in a cabin or covered area.
Gas
Bottled gas, which is heavier than air, is used for cooking and or heating on most boats. Because of this, gas drifts to the lowest part of a boat, the bilge. That’s why gas bottles are kept in a sealed locker that drains overboard.
You need to know where the isolation valve is and turn the gas off at the bottle when not in use, especially when you’re off the boat. Check hoses for cracks and replace them before they get weak. If you ever get a gas odor, turn it off at the bottle, put out any flames, don’t touch anything electrical, and make sure everyone is off the boat while it airs.
Fire
Fit a smoke alarm and keep at least one fire extinguisher in the galley and another by the engine. A fire blanket by the cooker is cheap and will take care of a pan fire a lot better than water would. Make sure everyone on board knows how to get off the boat because a fire in the middle can cut you off.
Stoves need some care too. Keep anything that can burn away from them, and don’t leave a stove with a rolling flame and no one on board.
Falling in
More people end up in the water from slipping off a wet roof or bad steps to the bank than in any other way. Wear shoes with a good grip, don’t rush getting on and off, take care in the dark, in bad weather and in the winter when the deck gets icy.
Lifejackets must fit children, and be stored where they’re easily available. A ladder or rope to assist in getting back aboard is worth having, since re-entry into a boat from the water can be very difficult.
This advice is only to get you started if using your boat on small, familiar stretches of river or the coast. For safety on longer trips, refer to Some General Safety Rules for Sailing. As for regular checks to service the gas and heating system, see the maintenance schedule and the Boat Ownership page, and for winterisation and running costs see the Boat Ownership page.
Tell all guests where the fire extinguisher, gas valve and lifejackets are before you depart. It only takes a minute, but that minute could save your life.