Yet another likely CO tragedy

So sad to hear, I can see myself in that news article. I need to know what happened, don’t want to sleep on the boat with the generator running, unless I know I am doing everything right. It would be pretty crucial to hear that they did everything right, or what items they did wrong. Just trying to learn. We spend the night on houseboats every year in july in TN, we run generators 24/7, never had an issue, but those boats are maintained by a large marina that depends upon getting everyone out alive. Need to make sure I’m at least doing all I can.
 
Sad.

Hope everyone takes this seriously when they are rafted up during the holiday activity.

Just keep in mind your attempt to keep your boat cool might just kill the occupants in the neighboring boat(s).
 
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So sad!! My boat has 2 factory hardwired detectors and I also keep 2 battery powered CO detectors on board.

Go buy a couple today, get the unit with the digital readout.

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Don't mind saying I'm a little confused. Aren't the generator systems designed to run and vent exhaust so that it doesn't kill the occupants? Don't misunderstand my statement, I'm all for following the rules and getting safety detectors just in case, but are we looking at a poorly designed system? Aren't you supposed to be able to run the generator for the A/C and Refrigerator, and TV and stuff like that? If not then please explain the point of a generator. I can charge batteries with the engines.
 
Of course but parts fail. Things break. People do stupid things etc etc. I’m going to buy a second back up battery powered one in addition to the one hardwired and the other dual battery/Outlet ones I have.
 
Don't mind saying I'm a little confused. Aren't the generator systems designed to run and vent exhaust so that it doesn't kill the occupants? Don't misunderstand my statement, I'm all for following the rules and getting safety detectors just in case, but are we looking at a poorly designed system? Aren't you supposed to be able to run the generator for the A/C and Refrigerator, and TV and stuff like that? If not then please explain the point of a generator. I can charge batteries with the engines.

Most of these accidents are with portable generators, or poorly maintained generators. And there is usually a lack of CO detectors in the mix.

As with most things, when properly maintained and with proper safety precautions there is usually no problem.
 
My question is, if they where in a marina, why weren't they plugged in? Something doesn't sound quite right.
 
I have the same set up as Quint- having said that when I'm anchored for the evening I'm always aware the gen is running for the a/c - kind of like sleeping with one eye open if you know what I'm talking about - be safe on the 4th
 
I've been in marinas where the slip didn't have power outlets and had to run my generator.
Maybe, but the marina they where at has electric service. I would find the noise of a generator at night in a quite marina at night very annoying.
 
Maybe, but the marina they where at has electric service. I would find the noise of a generator at night in a quite marina at night very annoying.

I've overnighted in marinas that had electrical, but the transit slip I got didn't have any, so I had to run my generator. I made a trip from Lake Pontchartrain through Mobile up the Tenn Tom where I had to run my generator non stop for several days, and three of the marinas I went to didn't have power on the transit slip.

With that said I'm not familiar with the marina in the story or if they were transit, or any details of why their generator was running.
 
I've overnighted in marinas that had electrical, but the transit slip I got didn't have any, so I had to run my generator. I made a trip from Lake Pontchartrain through Mobile up the Tenn Tom where I had to run my generator non stop for several days, and three of the marinas I went to didn't have power on the transit slip.

With that said I'm not familiar with the marina in the story or if they were transit, or any details of why their generator was running.
Bay Point is a pretty nice, full service facility. I cant see why they would be running their genny unless the place was so full they had to put them in some spot that they never intended to have anyone tie up at.
 
It would be nice to know some details. Was it a legitimate marine genset, or some kind of Rube Goldberg contraption? Gas or diesel? Did the boat have CO alarms?
 
or maybe someone else's genny was running nearby and they didn't know it.....my genny is very quiet when running and if you were past around 20 ft. from my boat you would likely not hear it, especially if you were in a cabin....

cliff
 
So sad!! My boat has 2 factory hardwired detectors and I also keep 2 battery powered CO detectors on board.

Go buy a couple today, get the unit with the digital readout.

View attachment 57483

+1 Just picked up a few before the season. Amazon has them and there a great backup to the hardwired.

They are important to have even if you don't have a generator.

-Kevin
 
Unfortunately, it's stories like these that some will use to justify the use of a portable. "how could they be any more dangerous then the onboard kind".

Hopefully they'll release more details about the cause. Very sad story....
 
or maybe someone else's genny was running nearby and they didn't know it.....my genny is very quiet when running and if you were past around 20 ft. from my boat you would likely not hear it, especially if you were in a cabin....

cliff
Maybe they did a nice slow cruise the evening before. It's possible their cabin could have accumulated dangerous CO levels along with them already getting a does while riding in the cockpit. Now you get back to the marina, you're feeling like hitting the sack early tonite...down into the cabin you go.

I remember a posting a few years ago...boat was cocktail cruising, teenager was 'bored' and went below. They said it was approx 15min later someone else went below and the kid was already unconscious.

Everything can be working perfectly, no generators of any kind or any outside source need be involved. The main engines and lack of CO detectors can get you.
 
Maybe they did a nice slow cruise the evening before. It's possible their cabin could have accumulated dangerous CO levels along with them already getting a does while riding in the cockpit. Now you get back to the marina, you're feeling like hitting the sack early tonite...down into the cabin you go.

I remember a posting a few years ago...boat was cocktail cruising, teenager was 'bored' and went below. They said it was approx 15min later someone else went below and the kid was already unconscious.

Everything can be working perfectly, no generators of any kind or any outside source need be involved. The main engines and lack of CO detectors can get you.

And it has been miserably hot and humid so going below immediately closing everything up is a distinct possibility.
 

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