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CLOSE CALL WITH CARBON MONOXIDE
By Dione Murray
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Thom and Dione Murray stopped by our booth at the Seattle Boat Show and picked up their new Waggoner, which I signed for them. I confess I don’t remember the faces, but the unusual spelling of their names stuck with me. They live aboard their 38-foot Tollycraft, the Madeline R. So it was with a spark of recognition that I read the following item in the February, 2002 issue of the Tollycraft Boating Club newsletter. Dione had a close call in January.
February 22, 2002. The sun was peeking through a cold, crisp winter haze. No wind. Thom was working overtime, and I was alone with my Sunday morning “boat-wife” work while listening to the radio. About noon I realized I did not feel well. I was nauseated, my knees were wobbly, and it was difficult to breathe.
Well, I hadn’t eaten yet. I made breakfast while feeling my heart race. Eating did not help. My fingers were numb, and I couldn’t think clearly. I really wanted to sleep. Almost two hours later, I entered the aft cabin to lie down, and I smelled fumes. It was someone’s exhaust! Frantically, I opened all doors and windows, only to discover the smell was much worse outside. I climbed out on the dock, aware that I was walking very badly, and ventured over to the yacht sales business next door.
“Hello,” I yelled. “Is that your boat idling there? Can you move it or turn off the engines? It’s making me sick.” They responded immediately. It was either too late or just in time -- depending on your view.
My neighbor came home and found me wandering the docks, incoherent. He insisted on taking me to the University of Washington Medical Center, where I was diagnosed and treated for “mild carbon monoxide poisoning.”
So, in the name of safety I’m reminding us all to be careful. Watch what your actions are doing to yourself and others. And as a neighbor, I hope we all are as kind, observant and thoughtful as my neighbor was for me.v
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