Carbon Monoxide and Boating

Our region abounds with opportunities for recreation on lakes and the seacoast. Most people do not know that motorized boats have unique carbon monoxide problems.

Reported CO incidents that involve boating include:

•       CO intoxication of young children napping in the cabin of an inboard.  A crack in an exhaust pipe lead to high levels in the cabin nearly killing a young child.

•       Swimmers about the swim platform of an idling pontoon boat become weak and confused and nearly drown.

•        Family members sitting in the back seat of a slow-moving boat with an inboard motor are overcome with CO gases when the gases swirl and settle in the back of the boat. The father is over-whelmed by CO and his son dies from CO exposure.

CO boating safety issues were the topic of the 2024 9^th Annual Summit of NECOA where Krissy Taylor told the story of how her son Afton and others lost their lives on the water. In Ohio her Love Like Afton Foundation has now posted signs at marinas and boat launches educating boaters and urging the use of CO alarms on boats.

In 2025 NECOA has adapted the Marine CO prevention  poster generously shared by Krissy. Outdoor posters have already been placed at marinas on 2 large lakes. We are seeking to partner with more lakeside communities in 2026 to place posters where boats launch or marinas where they gas up. Our goal is to increase public awareness of CO safety on boats and encourage the use of Marine CO alarms.