HUNDREDS of Lake District boat owners are being reminded that lives could be saved this season for as little as £20.

Windermere Marina Village is using the new tourism season to ramp up awareness of the carbon monoxide safety message to the 380 boat owners registered at its complex, the largest on the lake.

In addition, official Boat Safety Scheme advice is being circulated to 2,200 registered boat owners by the Lake District National Park Authority.

They want to see boat owners get a carbon monoxide detector for as little as £20 or double check existing onboard detectors to ensure they are not fitted with flat batteries after the long, cold Cumbrian winter.

It follows the deaths on a moored boat near a jetty off Glebe Road, Bowness, of Kelly Webster, 36, and her daughter Lauren Thornton, 10, of Leyland, Lancashire.

They sadly died on Easter Sunday after succumbing to suspected carbon monoxide poisoning during an afternoon nap.

Within a week, another scare was sparked after a family of four from Bury became unwell and after checks at hospital were found to have high levels of carbon monoxide in their bodies.

Although neither incident happened at Windermere Marina Village, its Marina manager, Dan Fairweather, said it wanted to ensure the boat-going community using its facilities and the lake were given safety packs.

All boats use petrol, diesel or gas which creates carbon monoxide which usually is properly emitted, he explained.

If it isn’t, it can build up to deadly toxic quantities when too much is produced or it burns badly, said Mr Fairweather.

The problem is exacerbated because on-board generators are commonly used by boat owners to power items like heaters during the recent cold weather, kettles and power appliances - often while sailing out on the lake.

Heavy carbon monoxide sinks and can accumulate in the lowest part of the boat - often where sleeping accommodation is arranged - with deadly consequences.

Mr Fairweather said the emissions problem can easily occur in vessels that have not been serviced for a time, or if a generator or boat exhaust system is faulty - often unbeknown to the boat owner.

Mr Fairweather, who has 11 years experience working with hundreds of boats, said: “Boats are very good at keeping water out but are good at keeping air in.

“You can’t smell, see or taste carbon monoxide and the first indications you would get are headaches and nausea and then you can go downhill rapidly after that with chest pain.

"A carbon monoxide detector only costs £20 from Argos so it’s a no-brainer really. If you’ve got a heater or engine get it serviced.”

Mr Fairweather also stressed that while some carbon monoxide detectors are fitted as standard on newer boats, they are not on older boats.

He said those who did not understand how to fit them could take them to the Marina’s neighbouring boat yard, Shepherd’s, and they would help.

Steve Gaskell, of the Lake District National Park, said: “This is an important time, as boats are going back on the lake for spring and summer. We want users to enjoy the amazing scenery and tranquillity, but above all, we want them to be safe.

“CO can be lethal and is produced by anything that is fuel burning, including petrol and diesel engines, fixed and portable gas stoves, generators and even charcoal barbecues.

“Following two recent incidents on Windermere, we are continuing to work with the Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) to alert our registered users to the risks and encourage them to protect themselves and their passengers.”

For more information visit www.boatsafetyscheme.org/stay-safe/carbon-monoxide-(co) or call the National Park Lake Rangers on 0844 225 2922.