Widow warns mariners about "silent killer"

Thursday 09 May 2019

A tragic story of a keen local boater who died suddenly two years ago has been shared by his widow to warn other sailors about “the silent killer” that has taken scores of islanders' lives over the past 20 years.

Margaret Jeffery is sharing the tale of her “beloved husband” Ken, who passed away from carbon monoxide poisoning, as part of an awareness campaign launched this month by Jersey Fire and Rescue and the Coastguard, who would like to see more vessels make use of detectors for the deadly odourless gas.

In the last 20 years, 60 people have died as a result of fire or carbon monoxide poisoning on boats in the Channel Islands and elsewhere in the UK, with a roughly even split between the two.

Ken, who loved going out on his yacht, sadly became one of these casualties when he suffered from carbon monoxide poisoning on 16 February 2017 while working on his boat.

Pictured: The Fire Service are conducting a campaign to warn against the risks of carbon monoxide at sea.

“I tragically lost my beloved husband Ken as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning. Although Ken was a highly trained and very experienced sailor, [it] was not something he had ever considered," Margaret explained.

“Had carbon monoxide detectors been publicised at the time, I am certain he would have fitted one and would still be alive today. I hope that sharing this story may prevent others from experiencing the heartbreak and sadness his daughter and I are going through.”

Crew Commander Phil Falle, who leads on boat safety for the Fire Service, said: “The combination of multiple types of fuel, electrics and water in a confined space is a potentially lethal mix."

Pictured: The campaign warns against the dangers of "the silent killer".

He continued: “Good boat maintenance will reduce the risks dramatically but it’s still essential that fire and carbon monoxide detection alarms are fitted, checked and maintained, as well as serviceable fire extinguishers. 

“We’re particularly keen to raise awareness of the threat of carbon monoxide on board. It’s called the 'silent killer' for a reason and sadly people don’t properly protect themselves because they don’t even think about it.” 

More information about the risks of fire and carbon monoxide on boats can be found online here.