Before Fueling Your Boat

Serious accidents can occur when fueling. Never fuel at night unless it is an emergency. If you must refuel after dark, use only electric lights. To protect the water environment, try to refuel away from the water or on a commercial fueling ramp. Follow these procedures in order to fuel safely and responsibly.

Before beginning to fuel:

• Tie the boat securely to the fuel dock.
• Ask all passengers to leave the boat and go onto the dock.
• Do not allow anyone in your group or others at the fuel dock to smoke or strike a match.
• Check to see that fuel lines, connections, and fuel vents are in good condition.
• Turn off anything that might cause a spark—engines, fans, or electrical equipment.
• Shut off all fuel valves and extinguish all open flames, such as galley stoves and pilot lights.
• Close all windows, ports, doors, and other openings to prevent fumes from entering the boat.
• Remove portable fuel tanks from the boat and fill them on the dock.
• Make sure that your fire extinguisher is within reach.