Safety Precaution Tips for Fueling Your Boat

Like putting gasoline in your car, refueling your boat becomes second nature after a while. But unlike a car, refueling your boat requires a lot more attentiveness.  

When refueling a boat, you have to take safety precautions to protect not just your boat, yourself and the people around you, but also the marine environment that surrounds the fueling station. Boat fuel and the fumes that it emanates can spark fires, pollute water and cause bodily harm. With that in mind, here are some safety precautions to take when refueling your boat. 

Safety Precautions Before Fueling Your Boat

Clear the Boat of Passengers 

Ask all passengers to disembark and then wait on the dock to keep the boat stable during the refueling process. Otherwise, having people walking around on the boat while refueling can result in accidental fuel spills from the motion caused by their movement. Always clear the boat and the fueling station of anyone who’s not involved in the refueling process.

Prevent Fire Hazards

Make sure that neither you nor anybody standing nearby lights up a cigarette or anything flammable while you’re refueling. Also, put out any open flames and turn off anything that could cause a spark, such as the engine, the galley stove and any other electrical equipment before pumping out the fuel. Before refueling your boat, you should also check that all fuel lines and connections are intact, and that the fuel vents are open. Make sure there’s a fire extinguisher within reach too in case of an emergency. 

Close All Openings on the Boat

Keep all windows, hatches, doors and any other openings on the boat closed to prevent fumes from entering and lingering on the boat. Once you're finished refueling, open everything back up to allow air to circulate through the boat.

Fill Portable Tanks on the Dock

Before filling up jerry cans or portable fuel tanks, unload them onto the dock to protect the boat against spills and fumes coming into contact with electrical equipment and anything else that can ignite a spark. When filling up a portable fuel can or tank, do it slowly, and make sure the container is free of leaks and easy to carry back to the boat. Once the portable fuel container is full, store it in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight, the engine and all electrical equipment. 

Safety Precautions While Fueling Your Boat

Prevent Sparks and Spills 

While refueling, hold the nozzle firmly against the fill opening and make sure it remains in close contact during the whole process to prevent static electricity from producing a spark.

To prevent spills while refueling your boat, fill up the tank slowly, and use oil-absorbent pads to catch any drips. Also, have those pads ready for wiping up any fuel spills off the bilge, the dock or any other hard surfaces. If a fuel spill hits the water, contact the marina or refueling station owner immediately to notify them of the spill, and for information on which authorities you’ll need to call.

Don’t Top Off the Fuel Tank

Fuel needs room to expand, so never fill up the tank to the brim to prevent overflow through the fuel vent. A good rule of thumb is to know how much fuel your boat’s tank can hold, and fill it up to about 90% of that. When you’re finished, screw the fuel cap back on tightly to prevent spills and fumes from escaping, and to keep contaminants out of the fuel tank. 

Do the Sniff Test Before You Go

After reopening the windows, hatches, doors and any other openings you closed, wait until the smell of gasoline has completely cleared out before starting the engine. If you do smell fumes, increase air circulation, and wait until you no longer smell the fumes before you take off again. 

Additional Boat Refueling Tips

• Avoid refueling at night if possible. If you have no other choice but to refuel at night, use lights that don’t pose any kind of fire hazard.
• If your boat has an inboard engine, turn the blower on for at least 4 minutes before starting the boat to allow any remaining fumes to dissipate faster. 
• Know the local laws for handling fuel spills, as well as which authorities to contact for reporting a spill.

It’s illegal to leave a fuel spill unreported, as well as to attempt to disperse a spill by adding additional chemicals to the water, so don’t walk away from or attempt to hide one, no matter how small. Keep in mind that there are eyes everywhere, and you will face severe penalties if you get caught leaving a fuel spill unreported.