Boat Insurance Advice - Using Petrol Safely

Clearly all of us are aware of just how dangerously volatile petrol is yet, due to the inevitable need for most our boat insurance customers have to make use of it for their outboard motors and generators, the use of it cannot simply be curtailed and therefore all boat owners should instead seek to mitigate the risks, not just to save making a boat insurance claim, but more importantly to avoid harm to self/others. The good news is that by meticulously following some of our simple procedures, those risks can be mitigated and thus significantly reduced. Here are six straight-forward tips to help you mitigate the risks...

Take generators ashore before refuelling, preferably a decent distance away to prevent the likelihood of fuel vapours entering your boat cabin. Only store petrol in containers specifically designed by manufacturers to carry petrol. Always use closed containers to store your fuel (i.e. no jugs or buckets!) Never store petrol (or indeed other flammables) inside your boat where vapours can accumulate. A lockable, breathable storage on deck is the only safe option. Add the checking of your fuel lines as part of your standard maintenance procedure (smell for fuel, run your finger along the lines where possible to feel for any fuel (make sure the engine has not been running recently first!) and look for tell-tale signs of any fuel drips. Carry out regular maintenance and inspection of equipment for damage. Also make sure you get your boat certified in a timely manner through the boat safety scheme (this will check things like fuel lines, appropriate liquid storage and adequate breather vents etc).

Here at Mercia Marine Boat Insurance we take boat safety seriously and hope these tips are easy to follow and help ensure you and your family/friends can enjoy your leisure time without incident. This information is provided with best intentions only, thus we cannot guarantee completeness and must therefore always recommend that you seek further professional advice if ever in doubt!

Reviewed: 28/01/2012

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