Q: I heard that starting this year, motorboats will be required to have a carbon monoxide (CO) detector installed in a passenger compartment. Which types of boats are included in that law?
A: As of May 1, 2017, all gasoline-powered motorboats with any enclosed accommodation compartment (consisting of a sleeping quarters, a galley with a sink, and a head/toilet compartment) must have installed a functioning marine CO detector.
In addition, any gasoline-powered motorboat with an enclosed occupancy compartment (any boat structure that can be occupied by a person) must display three carbon monoxide poisoning warning stickers: one at the helm, one at the stern and one at the entrance to the compartment. The DNR will mail the required stickers to the registered owners of each boat longer than 19 feet this spring.
This law is known as "Sophia's Law," named after a 7-year-old girl who died from carbon monoxide poisoning on Lake Minnetonka.
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For more information, check the Boating Safety webpage on the DNR website at dnr.state.mn.us/safety/boatwater/sophias-law.html .
Matthew S. Miller is a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources conservation officer with the Lake Superior Marine Unit. Send your questions to outdoors@duluthnews.com .
