[chasedawg]

It has been mentioned by several others. DO NOT run bilge blowers while fueling. All electrical devices must be turned off all hatches and ports must be closed. Do not allow fumes to enter the boat or bilge.

Think about it. If you are running your bilge blower it is drawing air and fumes from above and around the boat and especially where it is being fueled. The fumes are now entering your bilge. Any fumes will ignite. A thimble of fumes is enough to blow up a boat.

Several years ago the Marriott's had a terrible explosion in their boat house. While fueling one of their woodie's the fumes ran along the outside of the coaming and down into the cockpit. And that was all it took.

I saw a gentlemen fueling his beautiful 1937 HackerCraft woodie last week at Pier 19. He had his engine compartment hatches wide open. I went over to him and asked "gently" and "carefully" of he always fueled his boat with the engine covers wide open. He said Yes! Why? I tried to explain to him about the dangers of gas being heavier than air and would settle in his bilge with the hatches open. He huffed and chuckled and said I always do it that way. He walked away and jumped into his boat, closed the hatches and started the engine. No blower...Not even a sniff test! That person was causing a very dangerous situation and could have caused injury to anyone especially the young teen who had no idea of the danger that was present.