Mick,

How about a bilge vent fan with a explosive-gas rated motor, and explosion-proof switches
controlling it? Most power boats are sold with the above installed as standard equipment.
In an older sailboat with no bilge vent--my 79 Catalina doesn't have one--you're pretty much out of
luck until you install a proper bilge vent system.

I suppose in a bind you could use a garden hose, and compressed air from a bottled source such as a
scuba tank. Stick one end of the garden hose into the lowest point of the boat, and the other over
the side. Close up all the hatches and put towels or plastic sheeting over any cracks around the
boards, etc. Now crack open that scuba bottle, and the pressure inside the boat should drive the
heavier gas out through the garden hose.

Basically any electric motor with a commutator--such as a normal electric fan--is asking for an
explosion.

Comments??

Don W.

Mick Davies wrote:
I understand there are sniffers to detect propane build-up but if such a
pocket of collected gas is found how do you clean it out and make the boat
safe again?


Thanks,

Mick