Coast Guard Recommended Refueling Procedures:

Close all hatches and other openings before fueling.

Extinguish all smoking materials.

Turn off engines, electrical equipment, radios, stoves, and other appliances.

Remove all passengers.

Keep the fill nozzle in contact with the tank and wipe up any spilled fuel.

Open all ports, hatches, and doors to ventilate when finished.

Run the blower for at least four minutes.

Check the bilges for fuel vapors before starting the engine.

Class A fires are fires that burn consumables that leave an ash after burning. Class A fires are best fought with water, but can be fought with a number of fire extinguishing agents.

Class B fires are burning liquids. Class B fires are best fought with dry chemical or foam extinguishing agents. Water should be used only as a last resortbecause it spreads the fire. Never use a straight stream of water to fight a Class B fire.

Class C fires are electrical fires. Class C fires should only be foughtusing dry chemical extinguishing agents. Class C fires usually turn into Class A fires after the power has been secured.

Class D fires are burning metals fires. Most burning metals produce their own oxygen as they burn so they can’t be extinguished with water. Most burning metals react violently with water. They are characterized by a white hot flame and must be fought with smothering agents such as sodium chloride or sand.

The picture above lists common sense refueling practices. Keeping the fill nozzle in contact with the filler neck ensures no static electricity buildup between the two.