Butane and propane gases mainly used for the on-board stove are heavier than air gases that accumulate in the bottom and flush with the floors when a leak occurs. All it takes is an air/gas mixture with 3% gas to create an explosive situation in the presence of a trigger.
Since boats are built with a variety of combustible materials, the risk of fire is omnipresent on board. The risk of a gas explosion is even more devastating. Indeed, a significant blast effect that could destroy the ship is added to the fire. Here are some examples of situations following a gas leak:
A stove lights the curtains
A defective thermocouple on a stove that catches fire, the curtains go up in smoke as well as the ceiling lining..
On this small English sailboat at anchor, two people were wounded, one seriously burned in the face, the other slightly in the hands.
A night light and an aerosol
An insecticide spray accidentally sprayed towards the pilot light of a gas fridge and the insulation behind it ignites in toxic black smoke..
The sailboat, on its way upwind to Granada, still has 60 miles to sail upwind and only two crew members to put out the fire. Big scare, but no victims.
Great Britain, crash test
Here is a crash test using the explosion of the contents of two 5kg gas cylinders triggered by a spark, with the descent panel closed. The boat is blown and the models found at sea, dismembered...
Tahiti, Taravao Marina
On 17/12/2017 a 38 feet exploded at the marina, its owner, severely burned, was welding, in an environment of gas leakage... The engine of the tender was found 30m from the wreck!
The gas on board, when not controlled, poses a lethal danger to the crew. However, there are simple control procedures to be carried out and various equipment to help you sleep peacefully.
