Everybody knows that diesel is less explosive than petrol. Nevertheless, leaks in the fuel system, diesel or petrol, are always a danger. What makes a petrol engine so much more of a risk for the propulsion of a boat is the proximity of the essential electrical systems to the flow of the petrol. Ignition coils, distributors and spark plugs, all connected by electrical wiring, all potential sources of failure or sparks. At best you will find the boat drifting without power, at worst it will explode like a Hollywood film effect. The fumes are the danger. Fuel pipes leaking above hot exhaust, electrical wires or contacts, is bad news! Remember, even 12 volt systems are dangerous. They frequently carry a much higher ‘ampere’ (in simple terms, speed of flow) than 240 volts, making overheating or sparks across contacts more likely. Check your cable runs in relation to fuel pipes and bilges where fumes might gather. Fit a fume extractor and run it when fuelling or before starting engines.
Now think about your cooker! Calor Gas, L.P.G. Or whatever you call it is explosive! Look at the photograph. An old, black, (low pressure) rubber pipe with no secure clip, passing down through a rough hole, drilled in the galley worktop, to a similar push-fitting on the gas bottle under the cooker. This is not a setup, I actually found it during a pre-purchase survey. Flexible pipes MUST be high pressure (orange) on boats as, in choppy waters, liquid can pass the flow regulator and enter the pipe, bursting the low pressure black type. Look for obvious chafing dangers where pipes pass through tops or bulkheads and check the age of the hose. Fit the bottle in a proper gas locker, never under the cooker!
Seek advice - there are no second chances with explosive fuels!
Have L.P.G. Systems checked regularly by a Marine Corgi Gas Fitter. A remote gas locker with overboard drain, connected by short orange rubber to solid metal gas pipe through to rear of cooker, then short orange rubber, protected from chafe, to cooker is the minimum required!
