“It’s an odorless, tasteless gas so you don’t know it’s actually there until it’s too late,” says BM2, Nicholas Durfey, with the U.S. Coast Guard.
While when most people think of carbon monoxide and boating, they think of the back of the boat near the exhaust fumes. While that could be a problematic spot, it’s not always the main culprit. Martin and Durfey point out that in board engines, batteries, generators, and engine compartments all have the potential to release the dangerous gas. The way the boat is positioned on the water also plays a role is where the gas ends up. The important thing is knowing what to look out for, but unfortunately, the symptoms are similar to sea sickness.