Aug. 27, 2000
The National Park Service
issued a nationwide warning
to boaters this weekend to
beware of carbon monoxide
poisoning.
The alert was
prompted by two recent deaths at Lake Powell.
Environment Specialist John Hollenhorst has more.
The Park Service is sending out news releases,
handing out flyers to all Lake Powell visitors and
mailing them to every boat owner. And the Coast
Guard is investigating the design of a houseboat that
played a role in the recent tragedy.
With all the wide open spaces and fresh air at Lake
Powell, you wouldn't think you'd have to fear a killer
that usually works in confined spaces. But the official
word is: be afraid.
TED WOOLLEY/STATE PARKS BOATING
COORDINATOR: "BE AWARE THAT THERE'S
THAT ODORLESS KILLER OUT THERE."
Early this month, carbon monoxide overcame two
young brothers from Colorado who were swimming.
They drowned. Such tragedies are frighteningly
common, according to the Park Superintendent.
VOICE OF JOE ALSTON:
SUPERINTENDENT, GLEN CANYON NATL.
RECR. AREA.: "I KNOW WE'VE HAD NINE
FATALITIES IN THE LAST THREE OR
FOUR YEARS. AND WE'VE HAD MORE THAN
FIFTY INCIDENTS. I THINK IF WE KNEW
ALL OF THEM THAT HAPPEN, WE'D HAVE
100 TO 150 CASES ANNUALLY OF CARBON
MONOXIDE POISONING."
The recent deaths prompted the National Park
Service to begin distributing this flyer to all Lake
Powell visitors. It points out a so-called "death zone"
on some houseboats near the rear end swimming
platform. Many boaters keep engines or generators
running all day for electricity and air conditioning.
TED WOOLLEY/STATE PARKS BOATING
COORDINATOR: "IF THE WIND'S NOT
BLOWING YOU CAN GET CARBON MONOXIDE
BUILDUP BECAUSE IT KIND OF SETTLES
LOW ON THE WATER, WHICH IS ABOUT
WHERE YOUR NOSE IS WHEN YOU'RE
SWIMMING."
But poisonings also happen on Utah's smaller bodies
of water, with smaller boats. There have been fatal
incidents on speedboats and cabin cruisers, sometimes
even while a boat is moving.
TED WOOLLEY/STATE PARKS BOATING
COORDINATOR: "IT GETS WHAT'S CALLED
A STATION WAGON EFFECT, WHERE IT'LL
SUCK THE EXHAUST FUMES FROM THE
ENGINES BACK INTO THE BOAT CAUSING
A BUILDUP OF CARBON MONOXIDE."
The Coast Guard is investigating the houseboat design
issue, and we've been told one manufacturer has
already agreed to make some changes.
But experts
say the key to safety is awareness. People have to
realize three important things. Carbon monoxide is
invisible. It's odorless. And it kills.
