What is a responsible action to take when fueling your boat?

When fueling your boat, turning off all electrical equipment is a responsible action to minimize the risk of fire or explosion. Electrical sparks can easily ignite fuel vapors, which is why ensuring that all devices that power on or create heat are completely off is essential. This includes the engine, lights, and any other electronic devices onboard.

In contrast, leaving the engine running poses a significant risk as the engine could generate sparks during operation. Using a cell phone to call for help while fueling could lead to distractions or accidents, and filling the tank to maximum capacity increases the chance of fuel spillage, which is hazardous. Therefore, the best practice is to turn off all electrical equipment before starting the fueling process.