Filling up your boat’s tank is a bit more complicated than gassing up a car or truck. There are many simple but potentially life-saving safety precautions you should take before, during, and after fueling your boat. Many of these rules apply whether you’re mooring to a gas dock, towing your boat to a gas station, or using portable gas containers.
What to do before fueling your boat
Reduce the risk of spilling
If you’re at a gas dock or filling up with a portable container, make sure your boat is securely fastened to the dock. The less your boat moves while you attempt to fill it, the better. Using more lines, including spring lines, will add stability.
Ask all the other passengers to disembark and stretch their legs on shore. You don’t need them rocking the boat while you’re trying to fuel up. It’s also safer to have them off the boat should something go wrong.
Take precautions against fire
There are several things you can do to minimize the risks of a boat fire. The first and most important precaution is to shut off your engine. Make sure other boaters nearby know that you’re filling up and ask them to not start their engines until you’re all done. You should follow the same precaution if someone is fueling their boat near yours.
If your boat has any interior space, seal it off by closing all doors and windows. This will help keep any fumes from becoming trapped inside. You’ll also need to make sure all flames (including grills and cigarettes) are put out and all electrical devices (including generators) are turned off.
If you’re filling up portable containers at a gas station dock, fill them up on the ground, not on your boat or truck, which can cause static electricity.
Check for wear and tear
Before fueling, check your lines, hoses, clamps, vents, and tank for any damage, including loose connections, rub spots, cracks, rust, and corrosion. Make sure none of the vents are blocked. If you use portable containers, also check them for any wear.
In addition to checking everything before you start fueling, you should make a more comprehensive inspection of your fueling system a regular part of your routine. It’s better to catch and address any issues before they become a problem.
What to do while fueling your boat
While filling up your tank, keep the nozzle in tight contact with the edge of the tank opening to steady your hand and ground any static electricity. Fill the tank slowly and keep your hands steady to prevent splashes and drips, and keep an eye on your progress to prevent overflow. Keep an absorbent pad close at hand and if you notice any drips as you’re fueling, use it to wipe up the fuel before it hits the water.
If you’re using portable containers, use a filtered funnel to reduce the risk of spilling and to remove any contaminants. Fueling a boat with portable containers can make it tricky to keep the nozzle steady, so when you buy your containers, make sure they’re comfortable to hold.
What to do when you've finished fueling your boat
Clean up any messes
Turn the pump off and be careful to hold the nozzle upright while putting it back to prevent spilling any fuel left in the hose. Close the tank tightly and check for any drips. If there’s any fuel on the side of your boat, wipe it up with an absorbent pad and dispose of the pad properly.
Let any fumes dissipate
It’s very important to let all gas fumes dissipate before starting your boat back up. Open all the hatches and ports you closed before fueling and let them air out. If you smell gasoline anywhere on the boat, you’ll need to run your ventilation system or blower for 5 minutes or so before starting your engine. If your boat doesn’t have an interior, you should still wait until you no longer smell any gasoline.
Only once all fuel vapor is completely dissipated should you start your engine, let your passengers on board, turn on any electronic devices, or light any flames.
If you’re using portable containers, it’s also important to store them in a cool, dry, dark place that’s well ventilated and away from the engine or any electrical equipment.
Top fueling safety tips
Don't wait until you're running on empty
To be on the safe side, fill up your tank when it drops below the halfway mark. The last thing you want is to run out of gas while away from shore.
Don't fill your tank above 40%
Gasoline expands as temperature rises, so you always need to leave extra space in the tank.
Stay focused
Don’t use hands-free clips and don’t try to do anything else while fueling up. Obey the no electronics rule — don’t use your phone while at the pump.
Keep a fire extinguisher on board
You should always have a fire extinguisher on your boat and keep it within easy reach.
Fuel during the day
When you get gas during the day, you won’t need additional lighting. Since they’re electronic and could potentially cause a spark, flashlights should only be used to fill up at night in the case of an emergency.
Be responsible about spills
If you do spill fuel, stop the source immediately, thoroughly clean up any affected surfaces with an absorbent pad, and then dispose of it properly. If the spill reaches the water, you will need to tell the dock managers so they can take appropriate action to clean it up.
Summary
If it sounds like there are a lot of rules for fueling up your boat, there are. Each rule has a good reason behind it, however, and each rule is centered around keeping you, your passengers, and your boat safe. Taking a handful of simple precautions and a few extra minutes could be the difference between an enjoyable boat ride and a disaster — so follow these fueling rules, make them a habit, and before you know it, you’ll be practicing them automatically as part of your boating routine.
Gasoline and gasoline fumes are the major cause of boat fires and explosions, so you need to take care when fueling to avoid spills and the spread of gasoline fumes. Gasoline fumes, in particular, often accumulate in the bilge area.
To make sure that you, your passengers and your boat avoid any potentially dangerous, even explosive, situations, it's important that you follow these fueling guidelines.
Now you can start to fill your tank.
If you have an inboard gasoline engine, you need to turn on the blower for four full minutes before starting your boat. This very important step is to remove any fumes that could be lingering in the bilge.
All portable fuel tanks must be filled off of the boat. Once filled, store portable fuel tanks onboard in a well-ventilated area away from the engine and electrical equipment.
Fueling up your boat can be an expensive proposition but there are a few easy things you can do to help conserve fuel.
Fueling up your boat can be an expensive proposition but there are a few easy things you can do to help conserve fuel.
The following tips will help you get better mileage and reduce the environmental impact that gasoline can have on marine life.
KEEP THE BILGE CLEAN AND FREE OF TRASH TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE.
Refueling your boat can become a task that feels as routine and simple as fueling your car. However, a boat’s fuel system is quite different and requires extra care and consideration.
In fact, we have had several members of the PartsVu community ask, “What are good safety precautions when fueling your boat?”
Taking the recommended safety precautions when refueling can prevent harm to you, your loved ones, and the marine environment. Following this step-by-step guide will ensure that you are safe and can make the most out of your day on the water.
Shop Featured Products
What should you do before fueling your boat?
If you’re new to boating, follow this helpful guide to docking with ease. Proper docking will help to keep the boat stable.
- Have Passengers Disembarque
Asking all passengers to step off the boat will also help keep the vessel stable during fueling. Not doing so can result in accidental spills and release of harmful fumes.
Ensure that you and others nearby refrain from smoking, striking a match, or any other activity involving flames. Extinguish all open flames such as the galley stove. Turn off anything that could cause a spark– the engine, fans, and any other electrical equipment.
Double check that your fuel lines, connections, and fuel vents are in good condition. Make sure that the air vents and valves to the gas tank are open.
This includes windows, ports, doors, hatches, or any other openings that may allow fumes to enter the boat.
- Keep Your Fire Extinguisher Close
Even when following all the necessary safety procedures, it’s a good idea to keep your fire extinguisher close by in case of an emergency.
What should you do while fueling your boat?
- Fill Portable Tanks on the Dock
Keeping portable fuel tanks away from your vessel is an extra safeguard against spills and fumes coming into contact with electrical equipment on your boat. A good rule of thumb is to follow this rule for any tank under six gallons in size.
Hold the nozzle firmly against the fill pipe opening to ground it against static buildup. Use an absorbent pad.
The majority of spills that occur when fueling are a result of an uncovered vent. If possible, hold an absorbent pad over the opening while pumping the fuel or attach a fuel vent collection device.
This allows the gas to expand in the tank and prevents accidental discharge through the fuel vent.
What should you do after you’ve finished?
Tightly screw the gas cap back on immediately after fueling. This prevents spills while reducing the possibility of debris getting into the tank.
Reopen the windows, doors, and other openings so that air can more efficiently circulate through the vessel.
Wait to turn your engine on until the scent of gasoline completely dissipates.
If you have an inboard gasoline engine, turn the blower on for a minimum of four minutes before starting the boat. This will allow any remaining gas fumes to more quickly dissipate.
- Store Portable Tanks Carefully
If you’re using portable tanks, store these in a well-vented area away from the engine and any electrical equipment
Note that fueling during the day is far safer than fueling at night. Night fueling will require the use of additional lighting, which ideally should not be in use near gasoline. If it is an absolute emergency and you must refuel in the dark, be sure to use only electric lights, as these pose the least risk.
Should a spill occur, immediately take action. The first step, of course, is to stop the source of the spill. Next, use oil absorbent pads to clean any gas that has spilled onto hard surfaces. If it has entered the water, contact your marina to notify them of the spill. They may have additional information or agencies that you will need to call.
Please note that there are several laws in place to protect our ocean environment, and that appropriate action must be taken promptly. Is it illegal to leave an oil or fuel spill unreported, if said spill is large enough to leave a sheen on the water. To report a spill of this size, you must contact the US Coast Guard at 1-800-424-8802.
In addition, it is illegal to disperse a spill by adding additional chemicals to the water. This can cause more harm to the environment and marine life; it is better to prevent the spills from occurring in the first place, and report to necessary agencies when accidents happen.
How can you conserve boat fuel?
Good fuel economy will save you time and money in the long run. Follow these three steps to get the most out of your tank.
- Be Aware of Your Engine’s Health
A great way to reduce your engine’s fuel consumption is to ensure that it’s in top condition. Be sure that your engine has adequate power to easily propel your boat. Keep your engine at its peak performance by using a proper oil mix for the motor and using the proper fuel filters. It’s also a good idea to understand how different types of fuel affect your engine’s performance.
Regularly perform an oil analysis to check up on your engine’s overall health.
- Keep Up with Maintenance & Cleanliness
General upkeep of your boat can be beneficial to your engine’s performance. Keeping the hull clean will reduce friction in the water, and require less work from your motor. Using the correct propeller and ensuring that it is undamaged will likewise help your motor run smoothly.
- Be Conscious of Overloading
Uneven distribution of weight and overloading can cause your engine to work harder than necessary, and therefore burn fuel less efficiently.
Download this handy guide to refresh your memory at the dock