Portible Gen Deaths: 3 on Houseboat Die on Long Island

[JohnEGraham]

3 on Houseboat Die on Long Island The New York Times 2010-03-24
Three people were discovered unconscious on a houseboat docked in a Long Island harbor on Tuesday evening and later pronounced dead, the authorities said. The boat was docked in the Huntington harbor, on the northern coast of Long Island in Suffolk County, when the police received a 911 call shortly before 9 p.m. reporting that the people aboard were unconscious. Paramedics arrived and took the three to Huntington Hospital, where they were pronounced dead.
UPDATE: It is not in the story but I heard driving in this morning that it was a "Portible Generator"
JG

 

[wish2fish]

where in the story did it mention the portable generator? just asking!

 

[Larry]

Re: Portable Gen Deaths: 3 on Houseboat Die on Long Island

New York CBS TV news just said that it does appear that it was a portable generator that caused the CO poisoning...

 

[Rono007]

I just heard it on WCBS-AM 880 as well ... portable generator being used for heat seems to be the cause. Autopsies pending.

 

[tubtoy]

that is also true with installed generators

 

[Four Suns]

http://www.northshoreoflongisland.c...112114-sub_Three_found_dead_on_houseboat.html

It mentions portable generator...

 

[HUMPH]

That's a crying shame. People need to do their research before trying "new" things that are not standard on their vessel. Like Scott said maybe the advocates of portable gennys will change their minds?

I was out last Saturday and saw a sedan cruiser with a portable genny strapped to the bow. At least it was outside on the bow and not the aft deck! :smt009

 

[Cincy Aquaholic]

that is also true with installed generators

And also true for most furnances and hot water heaters.

Doesn't say where this generator was. Please tell me it wasn't inside somewhere! Tragic.

 

[jg300da]

This one is close to home...tragic.

 

[hack4alivin]

This one is close to home...tragic.

Exactly, as the same thing has happened here in our local waters of Middle River several years ago, and the last time I joined in this debate I was called a “hot head” and a “hypocrite”, so I taking my chances here.

There are dangers all around us all the time, some much more than others. In all cases though we can all greatly reduce our chances of injury or worse by educating ourselves on the correct use and application of the equipment, and that goes for any equipment. Knowing the dangers and take the proper precautions, follow the manufactures directions…. It does not get much simpler than that.

 

[jpk33]

I am guessing there was no CO detector installed in the houseboat? Cheap life insurance IMO.

 

[jabs]

I was seriously considering a portable until I read this and now there is no chance just not worth the added convenience in my opinion.

 

[Summer Fun II]

Jabs, Don't let that scare you off at getting one.
Just use your head when running it and have a CO detector installed. :smt038
I've been using one for 3yrs and I'm still here to pester you guys. :smt043

But keep the bug bomb stuff away from me . :grin:

 

[Jack F]

Jabs, Don't let that scare you off at getting one.
Just use your head when running it and have a CO detector installed. :smt038
I've been using one for 3yrs and I'm still here to pester you guys. :smt043

Bug bombs are more dangerous I hear..:grin:

 

[jabs]

Bug bombs are more dangerous I hear..:grin:

Oh the things we get into:grin:

 

[sbw1]

The point being missed here is the portability feature was probably not the issue. This boat apparently was tied up at a dock. It is never a good idea to run a genny when tied up at a dock and where the exhaust can get sucked into the air intakes of the cabin due to wind conditions. We routinely experience CO alarms when boats run engines in the slips around us. Even the diesel boats set them off if the door to our salon is left open.

 

[highslice]

The point being missed here is the portability feature was probably not the issue. This boat apparently was tied up at a dock. It is never a good idea to run a genny when tied up at a dock and where the exhaust can get sucked into the air intakes of the cabin due to wind conditions. We routinely experience CO alarms when boats run engines in the slips around us. Even the diesel boats set them off if the door to our salon is left open.

Story said the boat was 200' off shore. The police had to row a dinghy out to it.

 

[osd9]

.....Even the diesel boats set them off if the door to our salon is left open.

Will a diesel boat set off a CO detector?

 

[Greg]

We lost power during that last storm. I was talking to a friend in the fire department, he said they got several calls for CO alarms going off because of portable generators. Including one that was in the basement, wired to the electrical panel. :smt009

 

[Quint4]

"Will a diesel boat set off a CO detector?"

Yes. CO is a byproduct of incomplete combustion.