Carbon Monoxide: Practical Checklists

Carbon monoxide gas can be a danger to Missouri boat users. Don't operate your boat without doing the following:

Every Time You Go On a Boat Trip

•   Make sure you know where CO exhaust outlets are located on your vessel.
•   Inform all travelers about signs and symptoms of CO poisoning and where CO can accumulate.
•   When docked, or rafted with another boat, be aware of exhaust emissions from the other boat.
•   Ensure that water flows from the exhaust outlet whenever engines and generator are started.
•   Pay attention for any change in exhaust sound, which may suggest an exhaust component failure.
•   Test the operation of each CO alarm by pressing the test button.

Every Month

•   Make sure all exhaust clamps are positioned and protected.
•   Look for exhaust leaking from exhaust system components. Signs include rust and black streaking, water leaks, or rusted or damaged fittings.
•   Examine rubber exhaust tubes for burned, cracked, or deteriorated sections. All rubber hoses must be pliable and without kinks.

Once a Year

Have a qualified marine technician:

•   Replace exhaust hoses if breaking, charring, or deterioration is located.
•   Ensure that your engines and generators are adequately tuned, and properly maintained.
•   Inspect every water pump impeller and the water pump lodging. Exchange if worn out. Make sure cooling systems are in working condition.
•   Inspect all metal exhaust components for cracking, rusting, leaking, or loosening. Make sure they look at the cylinder head, exhaust manifold, water injection elbow, and the threaded adapter nipple from the manifold and the elbow.
•   Clean, inspect, and verify proper operation of the generator cooling water anti-siphon valve (if equipped).

Be sure to check out all of the items on this list off before you take your watercraft out. On Lake of the Ozarks, Mark Twain Lake, and a great many other locations in Missouri, it is important to be safe on the water.