Suppose you've just fueled your boat.  Picnic supplies and fishing gear are aboard. Your passengers are seated. You're now ready to crank up the engine.

Unless you've followed a series of safe fueling procedures, you could unwittingly be sparking a bomb with the explosive force of several dynamite sticks.  Fires and explosions on boats account for the second largest number of boating injuries that occur annually across the nation, yet they are so easily preventable.

There are a number of ways vessels can be set afire, or an explosion triggered aboard.  Some of the most common are fuel spilled into the bilge, fumes in the bilge from fuel system leaks, electrical shorts, spontaneous combustion in oil-soaked rags, improper use of galley stoves, careless smoking, and, most distressing of all, a lack of caution in handling fuels.

In its free public education classes in boating skills and seamanship, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary continuously emphasizes to boaters that they be aware that gasoline vapors are heavier than air, hence seek the lowest portion of any vessel. Bilges and similar spaces that can trap gasoline fumes must be well ventilated with a flow of clean air to avoid the risk of explosion.  Diesel fuel is somewhat less hazardous but is highly still flammable.

Explosions are almost certain to happen to a vessel containing trapped fuel vapors which can be triggered by a spark.  Even a running engine can set off an explosion.

Since most explosions and fires aboard boats occur during or shortly after fueling, the Coast Guard Auxiliary suggests a number of safe fueling steps that can help lessen such danger.

1. Your vessel should be securely moored to the fueling dock.

2. Your fire extinguisher, and the one on the fuel dock, should be readily available.

3. Your engine and all electric motors such as blowers and bilge pumps should be turned off.  All fires aboard the vessel should be extinguished, including cigarettes, cigars, pipes and galley stove, and any electric appliances.

4. Close all doors, windows, ports, hatches or other openings to prevent fumes from settling into the bilge.

5. Exercise special precautions during the process of fueling.

a. Avoid overflow that could allow excess fuel to escape into the boat.

b. While gasoline is flowing through the fuel pipe, keep the fuel hose nozzle pressed firmly against  the fueling pipe, thus grounding any possible static electricity charge.

c. Portable tanks for outboards should be filled on the dock, never in the boat.

6. After fueling, wipe up any overflow or drops and dispose of fuel-soaked rags at the dock, not aboard the boat.  Open all hatches, windows and doors to allow any fumes to escape.  If your boat has a bilge blower, run it for at least five minutes.

7. As a final precaution before engine start-up, use your nose to sniff around the boat to determine whether any vapors still are present.