Mandatory checks for CO alarms in boats

Published: Wednesday, 19 December 2018

MANDATORY checks will be introduced next April for carbon monoxide alarms in boats.

This follows the public consultation in Autumn 2018 on proposed changes to the Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) resulting in the BSS Management Committee deciding that new BSS Requirements for carbon monoxide (CO) alarms on boats will be introduced from next April.

Keep people safe

All boats with accommodation spaces subject to the BSS will see mandatory checks introduced for suitable CO alarms in good condition and in appropriate locations. The requirements are designed to keep people on and around boats safe.

As well as protection from neighbouring boats, the CO alarms are also expected to prevent death or injury to boat owners from their own boat engines or appliances.

The alarms will warn people in the area about immediately dangerous levels of CO. They can also alert craft occupants to moderate levels of CO, which can be a long-term threat to health if left undetected.

Three boaters killed

This year three boaters were killed by CO poisoning with several more needing hospital treatment either due to CO poisioning, explosion or fire.

The BSS will be publishing the new checks in detail in January/February 2019.