With summer weather on order for the coming weeks, this is a good warning for Squamish boaters.
RCMP are warning boaters to be careful after two children passed out below deck from carbon monoxide poisoning when returning to a North Vancouver marina.
Police say the incident happened on May 21 when a North Vancouver family was out on a 27-foot vessel equipped with an inboard engine.
On their way back to the marina, the two children went below deck. At approximately 9 p.m. one of the parents went below and found them groggy and unresponsive.
Fortunately, both the 7-year-old and the 10-year-old regained consciousness after being brought up for fresh air – but left for longer, the incident could have been deadly.
The children were given oxygen and taken to the hospital and are expected to make a full recovery. RCMP say carbon monoxide had leaked from the inboard engine compartment into the cabin.
“Thankfully this incident did not end up more tragic than what it did,” said Cpl. Richard De Jong of the North Vancouver RCMP in a release. “This week is National Safe Boating Awareness Week and police are reminding all boaters to be safety minded while on the water – especially being aware of carbon monoxide poisoning.”
RCMP recommend installing a carbon monoxide detector in each accommodation space of a vessel, since the potentially deadly gas can be produced by any carbon-based fuel, such as gasoline, propane, charcoal or oil burns.
Signs of gas poisoning include irritated eyes, headache, nausea, weakness or dizziness. In that case, the person should immediately be moved to fresh air.
