posted 08-04-2006 11:27 PM ET (US)
"Item 6 - Ventilation:Boats with gasoline engines in closed compartments, built after 1 August 1980 must have a powered ventilation system. Those built prior to that date must have natural or powered ventilation.
Boats with closed fuel tank compartments built after 1 August 1978 must meet requirements by displaying a "certificate of compliance." Boats built before that date must have either natural or powered ventilation in the fuel tank compartment."
But it's probably not a bad idea to have blower if you've
got a below decks compartment. Gas fumes are heavier than
air. If you have a gas spill on deck, the fumes will run
downhill into the cabin. A system that vents the bottom
of the bilge would pump the fumes back over the side.
Chuck