Before beginning to fuel a boat, what should be done with the engine?

Before fueling a boat, it's essential to turn off the engine. This is important for safety reasons. Keeping the engine running while fueling can create a risk of fire or explosion due to the flammable vapors produced by fuel. Boats are typically equipped with ignition systems that can spark if the engine is running, potentially igniting those vapors.

Turning off the engine minimizes this risk as it eliminates the source of ignition. Additionally, many boating regulations and safety guidelines specifically require the engine to be off during fueling to ensure the safety of the crew and the boating environment. Always ensuring that all sources of ignition are eliminated is a fundamental safety practice when working with flammable substances like gasoline or diesel fuel.