Marine craft

Gas safety on boats

The use of Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) on boats can cause safety issues. LPG is heavier than air and if allowed to escape into confined spaces such as a boat hull, it may accumulate and form an explosive gas- and-air mixture. This mixture can cause serious harm to your health, and even death.

If you own or use a recreational boat, follow these safety tips:

• Only engage a licensed gasfitter to:
  • carry out any alterations, maintenance or service work on the gas installations or appliances onboard.
  • install new appliances that are fit for purpose and certified for use in or on a marine craft, in the correct location.
• Ensure ventilation is unrestricted when using gas appliances – for example:
  • ventilation outlets should be clear and unobstructed.
  • having at least two permanent ventilation openings.
• Take action to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning – for example:
  • not using cooking appliances as a heating source.
  • install a carbon monoxide detector, capable of detecting low concentrations, with an audible alarm (conforming with EN 50291-2 or UL 2034) as per the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Ensure all portable cooking or heating appliances (for example, BBQs) are not used indoors and are secured against unexpected movement of the vessel.
• Ensure all gas cylinders are upright, securely located and well-ventilated whether full or empty. Cylinder compartments should have a drain at the base.
• Do not store LPG cylinders near flammables or any sources of ignition.
• When gas cylinders are changed over ensure the connection points are gas tight with a soap and water solution.
• Regularly check the operation of gas appliances and equipment on your boat. We recommend having your boat checked annually by a licensed gasfitter.
• Check that there is a compliance plate attached to the boat indicating that Energy Safe (or an equivalent interstate or international body) has accepted the gas installations onboard.

Electrical safety on boats

Always do a basic visual check of your boat’s electrical system and equipment (wiring, power points, leads, and so on) before connecting a shore supply.

Make sure the equipment is in good repair and there are no signs of misuse, wear or damage. We recommend having your boat checked annually by a licensed electrician.

If you own or use a recreational boat, follow these safety tips:

• Ensure that any electrical supply to the boat is protected by individual circuit breakers and safety switches (residual current devices or RCDs).
• Test all safety switches (RCDs) regularly, particularly when the boat is first connected to a shore supply.
• Check that the supply lead allows for normal movement of the boat during mooring without undue stress.
• Use the shortest supply lead possible (no greater than 25m in length).
• Ensure that the supply lead is installed to prevent water from flowing along it, entering the boat and reaching the appliance inlet socket or supply plug.
• Do not connect a supply lead that is coiled up. This can cause overheating of the lead, which may start a fire.
• Ensure that the supply lead is not a hazard for people walking near the boat.
• If using a generator onboard the boat, ensure that it is not operating within a confined space. There should be adequate ventilation around the generator.
• Do not connect a supply lead where it may be damaged or subjected to high winds.

Who regulates safety on boats

Energy Safe Victoria, the Building and Plumbing Commission and Safe Transport Victoria all have a role in regulating the safety of certain types of marine craft, including recreational boats.

Energy Safe monitors compliance of LPG installations on recreational boats (where gas is used for non-propulsive purposes) with the prescribed safety standards, under the Gas Safety Act 1997. Any work carried out on gas installations on boats must be accepted by Energy Safe prior to commissioning. A compliance plate should be attached to the boat indicating the gas installation complies with the relevant standard.

The Building and Plumbing Commission licenses and registers all gasfitters who carry out work on gas installations and appliances, under the Building Act 1993. All gasfitting work undertaken on recreational boats must be carried out by a qualified gasfitter, who holds a current licence or registration in the relevant class of gasfitting work as set out in the Plumbing Regulations 2018. This work must comply with standards prescribed under the Gas Safety Act 1997.

Safe Transport Victoria licenses the operators of powered recreational vessels, and mandates requirements relating to safety equipment (such as life jackets, marine flares and radios). All powered vessels are required to be registered, and the operator of a registered vessel is required to hold a marine licence issued by VicRoads.