Baja Marine 40 manual Fueling Precautions, Static Electricity and the Fuel System

2.Fueling Precautions

Certain precautions must be carefully and completely observed every time a boat is fueled, even with diesel fuel. Diesel fuel is nonexplosive but it will burn.

A.Static Electricity and the Fuel System

There is a danger that static electricity can ignite gasoline vapors that have not been ventilated outside an enclosed area. Use extreme caution when fueling your boat from a source outside the regular venues.

Your boat has safety features that can be circumvented by not adhering to standard fueling practices.

Your boat's bonding system is designed to dissipate the build-up of static electricity.

Your boat must be in contact with the water or a land based grounding system. Here are some helpful suggestions to keep you safe from static electricity while refueling your boat.

•never fuel your boat in unsafe conditions such as: suspended on a sling or in a situation that increases the likelihood of static discharge.

•never use homemade containers to fill your fuel tank.

•Fuel carried onboard, outside of a fixed fuel system should be stored in an approved container or in a portable tank, such as provided for outboard engines, and be stowed safely outside of the engine or living compartments.

•Shutdown the engine, motors, and fans prior to taking on fuel. Any ignition sources should be extinguished before filling the fuel tank.

•Close all ports, window, doors, and hatches to prevent gas fumes from accumulating in the cabin.

•Fueling should never be done at night except in well-lighted areas.

•Always keep the fuel nozzle in contact with the fuel fill plate or the edge of the fuel tank opening throughout the filling process.

•Allow areas where gasoline vapors could collect to be ventilated before starting the engine.

•Wipe any spillage completely and dispose of rags or waste on shore.

•Secure the fill cap tightly.

•Fuel tank should never be filled to capacity.

Allow for fuel expansion.

•Portable tanks should only be filled while on the ground; never onboard the boat.

B.General:

•Check fill plate label to ensure fuel is placed only in fuel tank. Fuel fill plate is located on the port side of the boat.

•Avoid spills.

•Know your fuel capacity and consumption. Record the amount of fuel used since your last fill up, and compute the engine’s hourly fuel usage. As a fuel gauge backup check, deduct the average hourly fuel usage from fuel tank capacity.

•Observe the “Rule of Thirds”: one-third fuel for trip out, one-third for return and one-third for reserve.

•Allow an additional 15 percent fuel reserve when operating in rough seas.

C.Before and During Fueling – Checklist:

•Fire extinguisher – close at hand.

•Mooring – boat tied securely to fueling pier.

•Crew – at least one knowledgeable person present.

•Passengers – unnecessary people off the boat.

•Engines – stopped.