2 die in boat enroute from socal to Stockton, Ca.

[Dale Gillespie]

I caught a newsbrief today (Sunday 8-29) about 2 dead from probable carbon
monoxide poisoning while off the California coast. The 45' - 50' boat was
found with one engine still running and the auto pilot engaged. Both on board
were dead. They were enroute from somewhere in southern Ca to Stockton, Ca. I
haven't heard any more than that.

Can anyone add to the story?

FishWishr
Dale Gillespie
Proud, unbowed Bayliner owner.

[Dale Gillespie]

More details from today's newspaper:

(Avila Beach, San Luis Obispo County)

2 men age 55 and 57 were transporting the 50 ft cruiser "Sundancer" from
Ventura to Stockton, Ca. for a buyer.

The boat was spotted by a fishing boat in rocks about 500 yards from the Diablo
Canyon power plant on Saturday morning. The bow had suffered some damage.

Both men were found dead on the floor of the cabin. The fishing boat towed the
boat to safer water. Firefighters and Coasties arrived and administered CPR to
both men, but it was too late. Probable cause is carbon monoxide poisoning,
autopsies are pending.

[Steven Shelikoff]

Ja'me wrote:
>
> In article <19990830094241...@ng-cb1.aol.com>,

> fish...@aol.comnospam (Dale Gillespie) wrote:
>
> > 2 men age 55 and 57 were transporting the 50 ft cruiser "Sundancer" from
> > Ventura to Stockton, Ca. for a buyer.
>

> > Both men were found dead on the floor of the cabin. The fishing boat towed the
> > boat to safer water. Firefighters and Coasties arrived and administered CPR to
> > both men, but it was too late. Probable cause is carbon monoxide poisoning,
> > autopsies are pending.
>

> If boaters aren't already aware of it, one can buy what looks like little
> cardboard placards that serve as *carbon monoxide indicators* from
> aircraft supply stores and catalogs. These indicators are coated with a
> chemical that changes color in the presence of carbon monoxide, well below
> critical danger levels.
>
> There are generally 2 types. One needs to be replaced every 30-60 days,
> after being opened, and sells for around $3.00-$3.50/each. The other
> lasts 18 months and sells for approx. $9.00-10.00/each.
>
> Cheap "insurance" and a real safety enhancer. We keep them in both our
> enclosed cabin boat, and also the plane. We've tested them by purposely
> exposing them to engine exhaust, and find they work well.
>
> Obviously one needs to be awake and occasionally observing them,for it to
> be effective. They don't sound an alarm, to awaken people sleeping, like
> an expensive electronic marine detector, but are quite useful when
> underway.

Get the CO alarms. People don't usually die from CO poisoning while
they are awake and alert enough to check the indicators. If you're
awake, your body is a good indicator of dangerous CO levels. Over a few
years, the alarm is cheaper also.

Steve

--
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\ \ \ mailto:shel...@averstar.com
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[MrFixit]

This is false. The symptoms of CO poisoning are flu like. First you have a
frontal lobe headache then you feel nauseous and possibly start puking. At
this point many people start thinking they are coming down with something.
Then if they are still in the CO environment they can get disoriented and do
something stupid like go to bed. They usually turn up the heat and shut up
the house or boat and go to bed.

I have had CO poisoning when I was young and work as a CO responder for the
local utility and have seen this exact thing. The cops have had to forcibly
bring people to the emergency room, because they didn't want to leave their
house.

I also strongly recommend the electronic CO detector Vs the passive
cardboard squares you stick up. This is for the same reason as above. You
probably won't check it on a hourly basis and if you start to have symptoms
you may get disoriented and not realize you are being poisoned.

Mrfixit

Steven Shelikoff <shel...@averstar.com> wrote in message
news:37CAD6AD...@averstar.com...

[Al Kubeluis]

Mr. Fixit,
Thanks for description of symptoms. Very helpful.
We should have the CO alarms in homes as well as boats. Just a reminder.
Al Kubeluis
MrFixit <mrf...@nospam.tcinternet.net> wrote in message
news:j0Hy3.1144$ok4.1...@ptah.visi.com...

[Steven Shelikoff]

MrFixit wrote:
>
> This is false. The symptoms of CO poisoning are flu like. First you have a
> frontal lobe headache then you feel nauseous and possibly start puking. At

Those are the symptoms. If someone gets a headache and feels nauseous
when inside a boat, one of the first natural responses is to go topsides
and get some fresh air. If you're awake, you can do that. If you're
asleep, you'll probably die. That's why an alarm is so important and
you shouldn't rely only on the chemical strips.