Don Casey Tip #35  

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

For the very same reasons you have smoke detectors in your home, your boat-if it has a cabin-ought to be equipped with at least one carbon monoxide detector. Carbon monoxide is a silent killer, but it doesn't have to be. A CO detector can sense the presence of dangerous levels of carbon monoxide and sound an early warning.

American Boat and Yacht Council standards now require a CO detector on every new boat with a gasoline inboard or generator. But don't wait until you buy a new boat to protect yourself with this recent technology. And even if your boat is not gasoline powered, you may still want to equip it with a detector. Petroleum fueled heating appliances can generate dangerous amounts of carbon monoxide. Even a boat idling in the next slip can put you at risk.