The report into the deaths of the mother and daughter from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoningon a boat on Lake Windermere was published today by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB).

The report mentions the Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) in several places including the recommendations of the Chief Inspector of the MAIB, one being that the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNP) adopts the BSS as a means of improving safety.

Chair of the BSS management committee Vince Moran in welcoming the report said:

‘The report shines a bright light on the risk from carbon monoxide poisoning in boats and the challenges there are to tackle the issue.

‘We owe it to everybody affected over the years, including victims, friends and families, to intensify our efforts to get the message out.

‘If everybody plays a part, skippers, crews, the boating industry, navigation authorities and the Boat Safety Scheme, it will be much more likely that such terrible events will cease.

‘We have already begun a dialogue with the Lake District National Park Authority and have offered our support in their consideration of the Chief Inspector’s recommendation.

 ‘We will work closely with the Authority to see what action can be undertaken to reduce the likelihood of carbon monoxide poisoning incidents in the future and we are confident that adoption of the BSS by LDNP, as recommended by the MAIB, has the potential to also reduce the number of incidents of boat fires and explosions’.

‘We have a good record of spotting potential risks early and  persuading owners to tackle problems before harm occurs- protecting not just the boat owners, but other people visiting or working on the UK’s inland waterways as well.’

The MAIB report recognised that BSS boat examinations help identify potentially dangerous CO-emitting installations, highlight the risk and trigger key warnings with relevant recommendations for the boat owners.

Also agreeing with the MAIB finding, the BSS believes it would be helpful to see suitable CO alarms supplied with boats from new. It would send a strong message to owners about the importance of carbon monoxide safety.

The Scheme is moving forward the Chief Inspector’s recommendation for the BSS that its examiners highlight any issues, explain the nature of the risk and promote the fitting and testing of CO alarms certified as meeting the recognised standards whenever a boat owner attends an examination.

This will be in conjunction with the BSS building a stronger co-operative approach of the various agencies including navigation authorities, emergency services and others to influence boaters understanding and where boat owners will act to remove or not introduce unnecessary risk.

The BSS aim is for all inland boaters to understand the following seven core points, as these will help reduce the number of CO related deaths on boats. Boaters should recognise: –

1.       what the symptoms of CO poisoning are and what to do if anyone suspects that people aboard may be suffering the effects of this gas

2.       the nature of CO and how it builds up in a cabin including how to spot the dangers signs

3.       why equipment with problems should not be used and must be fixed without delay

4.       that fuel burning installations must be fitted maintained and run according to the manufacturer’s instructions

5.       the need to provide and maintain adequate ventilation

6.       that charcoal BBQs and generators emit huge amounts of CO fumes so need to be used well away from the boat

7.       why it is critical as a lifesaving backstop, to install CO alarms certified as meeting the latest standards, currently BS EN 50291-2, and have a routine for pressing the test button.

Underpinning these key points, Graham Watts, Boat Safety Scheme manager explained what CO is and how it affects people;

‘Appliance fuels need the right amount of oxygen to burn safely. Without enough air, the burn process is inefficient and the by-product changes from carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide.

‘Once in the lungs, carbon monoxide will replace the oxygen in your bloodstream that is vital to keep life going.

‘CO cannot be seen, smelt or felt. It has taken the lives of boaters even in moderate concentrations. If it starts to leach into a cabin, crew members can succumb before they realise there is a problem. The risk is even more serious when people are asleep.

‘The early symptoms of poisoning are similar to flu or food poisoning, and can include headaches, nausea and dizziness.

‘Anyone showing these symptoms when aboard, but feeling better when ashore should seek medical advice. If CO poisoning is confirmed, have any equipment checked over before it is used again.’

The Scheme’s belt and braces advice is to fit a CO alarm approved as meeting BS EN 50291-2 as these are best suited for boats.

Alarms need testing when first boarding the boat and weekly when staying aboard. Batteries should be changed if they do not work when tested and a new alarm must be fitted if the ‘replace by’ date marked on the alarm has passed.

The advice is to have one in the cabin or living quarters placed just below ceiling or deck-head height.  When asleep, for best protection, have an alarm in the breathing zone i.e. around the bed-head area.

The BSS has the latest, more detailed essential advice for boaters on www.boatsafetyscheme.org/CO and in its leaflet, Carbon Monoxide Safety On Boats – Don’t let CO ruin your life.