Another Sad Generator Story

I don't run my Westerbeke all night while out. I do trust it and my three Co detectors. I just don't want to hear it run all night. I also don't raft up over night when we go out in groups. None of us have a home Genset.

I see boaters all the time with a Honda sitting on the backs of their boats. They say they use them to keep the batteries charged while they play.
 
The article from AJC, quoted officials saying, “Officials called the deaths a “tragic accident,” and encouraged boaters to be careful when using generators by ensuring they are positioned in a way that allows for adequate ventilation.” Positioned in a way that allows for adequate ventilation? Wish that official had said, “Don’t use portable generators on boats at any time. If using a Built-in marine generator, Always ensure you are in a sealed cabin, and have at least 2 working CO monitors on board...”.
 
Todd320 said:
If using a Built-in marine generator, Always ensure you are in a sealed cabin, and have at least 2 working CO monitors on board...”.
Click to expand...
You can press the test button to see if it beeps...but how do you know if it can actually detect CO?
I am sure everyone has a different threshold for sleeping with a factory Gen running but I couldn’t do it...diesel or gas
 
I see portables on boats by the dozen literally every day in my area and gratefully there have been no incidents.

I’ve had to ask friends I was tied up to to give me a break from their on board generators more than once due to the exhaust between the boats, not to mention the constant racket.

We spend many nights on the hook during the season and do it for the peace and quiet, not for the total comforts of home. We have a large Pelican cooler that serves well for a few nights and 12 volt lighting is just fine.

My on board generator is not functional at the moment. It cranks freely, runs sporadically but does not produce electricity. This is on a long list of things to address but not the highest priority since I think I’ll have to remove it to either repair or replace it.

I do own a 2200 watt portable that I use for buffing and sanding in the spring before the power comes on at the marina. Now...don’t crucify me for this but I will bring it out sometimes and run it it for 1 hour every morning to make 2 pots of coffee (one to wake up to and one to ice for later) and a tank of hot water for showers, the one comfort I won’t live without.

There. I said it and am braced for impact.
 
I have never used one on a boat and don't even currently own a gennie but would probably be ok with running one for an hour or so during the day but I would never leave it running overnight and when it was running I would be sure to be up in the open air cockpit and any signs of not feeling right I would turn it off. And have at least 2 CO monitors
 
Saw this last weekend. 2020-07-24 11.02.39-1.jpg 2020-07-24 11.02.39-1.jpg
2020-07-24 11.02.39-1.jpg
 
dwna1a said:
I'm so sorry for the family.

Something needs to be done to stop these deaths. The warnings and education by sites like this are not working.
Click to expand...

Something IS being done. No matter what kind of bubbles you put around people, some few of them will manage to "out-smart" them.
 
All of these events are just awful, especially since they are probably avoidable. Just spent 8 days on a cruise, 4 nights on the hook with a Gas generator, 3 CO detectors on board, 2 are new. It’s great to wake up on a boat. I’m super aware of ensuring all doors and windows are closed, on my boat and the boat next to me... It took us 3 years to become familiar enough with our boat, and the prodding of friends, to relax enough and spend the night on the hook, but it’s awesome. Anything and everything you do carries some risk, be it water skiing, Snorkeling, scuba diving, mountain climbing, sky diving, Just boating, DRIVING Anywhere, air travel, you name it. But, we minimize those risks with proper equipment, regulations, and education. Enjoy life in the way you see fit... I will be getting a diesel boat at some point to further reduce this risk, but not going to stop sleeping on the hook!
 
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