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35 Outlaw
®
5.2
SeCtiOn 5 • Fuel SySteM
2. fuelinG precauTions
Certain precautions must be carefully and completely
observed every time a boat is fueled, even with
diesel fuel. Diesel fuel is nonexplosive but it will
burn.
a. sTaTic elecTriciTY anD The fuel
sYsTeM
There is a danger that static electricity can ignite
gasoline vapors that have not been ventilated
outside an enclosed area. Use extreme caution
when fueling your boat from a source outside the
regular venues.
Your boat has safety features that can be
circumvented by not adhering to standard fueling
practices.
Your boat's bonding system is designed to dissipate
the build-up of static electricity.
Your boat must be in contact with the water or a land
based grounding system. Here are some helpful
suggestions to keep you safe from static electricity
while refueling your boat.
• NEVER fuel your boat in unsafe conditions such
as: suspended on a sling or in a situation that
increases the likelihood of static discharge.
• NEVER use homemade containers to ll your
fuel tank.
• Fuel carried onboard, outside of a xed fuel
system should be stored in an approved
container or in a portable tank, such as provided
for outboard engines, and be stowed safely
outside of the engine or living compartments.
• Shutdown the engine, motors, and fans prior to
taking on fuel. Any ignition sources should be
extinguished before lling the fuel tank.
• Close all ports, window, doors, and hatches to
prevent gas fumes from accumulating in the
cabin.
• Fueling should never be done at night except
in well-lighted areas.
• Always keep the fuel nozzle in contact with
the fuel ll plate or the edge of the fuel tank
opening throughout the lling process (See
gure 5.3.1).
• Allow areas where gasoline vapors could collect
to be ventilated before starting the engine.
• Wipe any spillage completely and dispose of
rags or waste on shore.
• Secure the ll cap tightly.
• Fuel tank should never be lled to capacity.
Allow for fuel expansion.
• Portable tanks should only be lled while on the
ground; never onboard the boat.
b. General:
• Check ll plate label to ensure fuel is placed only
in fuel tank. Fuel ll plate is located on the port
side of the boat.
• Avoid spills.
• Know your fuel capacity and consumption.
Record the amount of fuel used since your last
ll up, and compute the engine’s hourly fuel
usage. As a fuel gauge backup check, deduct
the average hourly fuel usage from fuel tank
capacity.
• Observe the “Rule of Thirds”: one-third fuel for
trip out, one-third for return and one-third for
reserve.
• Allow an additional 15 percent fuel reserve when
operating in rough seas.
c. before anD DurinG fuelinG –
checklisT:
• Fire extinguisher – close at hand.
• Mooring – boat tied securely to fueling pier.
• Crew – at least one knowledgeable person
present.
• Passengers – unnecessary people off the
boat.
• Engines – stopped.