Recreational Boating Safety – The Vessel Safety Check (VSC) Part 6: Ventilation

USCG-0926-0By Bob Currie, Vessel Examiner
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 081-06-08
USCG Auxiliary Flotilla 081-06-08 is based at Coast Guard Station Galveston. The Auxiliary’s vessel examiners perform safety checks on all types of recreational boats. In this discussion of the Vessel Safety Check (VSC), we will discuss the various requirements for ventilation.

All boats that have gasoline engines for electrical generation, mechanical power, or propulsion must be equipped with a ventilation system. Open Boats are exempted from ventilation requirements because gasoline vapors may be dissipated by exposure to the open atmosphere. There are two types of ventilation systems – natural and powered.

Natural Ventilation System
A natural ventilation system is required for each closed compartment in a boat that contains a permanently installed gasoline engine; has openings between the engine and a compartment that requires ventilation; contains a permanently installed fuel tank and an electrical component that is not ignition protected; contains a fuel tank, either fixed or portable, that vents into that compartment; or contains a non-metallic fuel tank.

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A natural ventilation system consists of:

  1. A supply opening (duct or cowl) located on the exterior of the boat, which brings outside air into the vessel or else lets in air from a ventilated compartment or from a compartment that is open to the outside air.
  2. An exhaust opening or duct that expels exhaust into another ventilated compartment or to the atmosphere.

Powered Ventilation System
A powered ventilation system is required for each compartment in a boat that has a permanently installed gasoline engine with a cranking motor for remote starting. A powered ventilation system consists of one or more exhaust blowers. Each intake duct for an exhaust blower must be in the lower one third of the compartment and above the normal accumulation of bilge water. Boats built before 1980 were not required to install a powered ventilation system, but some boats manufactured then were equipped with a blower.

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Boats that were built after August 1, 1980, and have gasoline engines in closed compartments must have a powered ventilation system. Those built before that date must have a natural or powered system. Boats that were built after August 1, 1978 and have closed fuel tank compartments must meet requirements for displaying a certificate of compliance. Boats built before that date must have either natural or powered ventilation in the fuel tank compartment.

Boats that are required to have an exhaust blower must have a label that is as close to as practicable to the ignition switch, in plain view, and contains the following information: WARNING: Gasoline vapors can explode. Before starting engine, operate blower for four minutes and check engine compartment for gasoline vapors.

All boat owners are responsible for keeping their vessel’s ventilation systems in operating condition. This means making sure openings are free of obstructions, ducts and ducting are not blocked or torn, blowers operate properly, and that worn components are replaced with equivalent marine type equipment.

For more information on boating safety, please visit the Official Website of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Boating Safety Division at www.uscgboating.org. Questions about the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or our free Vessel Safety Check program may be directed to me at [email protected]. I am available to perform free Vessel Safety Checks, and I will come to your location to perform them. SAFE BOATING!
[9-25-2017]

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