Police: Boat crew lost consciousness after inhaling generator fumes in their sleep

The five crew members found unconscious on their boat off a harbor in Male’ City on Saturday morning had lost consciousness after accidently inhaling generator fumes while sleeping, according to the police.

The five crew members - four expatriates and one Maldivian – were found unconscious on a boat moored at the Male’ North Harbor at around 06:35 am, and were rushed to the Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH).

A police spokesperson, quoting hospital officials, said all five were showing signs of recovery.

The spokesperson said that preliminary investigative findings indicate that the five crew members had slept in an enclosed space with the generator running, and fell unconscious after inhaling fumes from the generator.

Inhaling generator fumes while sleeping is extremely dangerous and often fatal because the generator produces carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas.

The police urged people against running generators or other machines that expel hazardous gases when resting or sleeping in enclosed spaces in order to avoid such incidents.

“Inhaling generator fumes can lead to loss of consciousness or even the loss of life,” warned the police.

The police urged seafarers to ensure there’s proper ventilation in sleeping quarters, and to avoid using generators in such spaces.