Final answer:
When fueling your boat, take safety precautions such as avoiding any ignition sources, ensuring ventilation, not smoking, and handling the fuel carefully. Protect Maryland waters through environmental care by removing debris and thoroughly rinsing equipment before entering the water.
Step-by-step explanation:
A good safety precaution when fueling your boat is to be vigilant and handle the fuel with care. It's important to avoid flames or sparks, ensure good ventilation, and refrain from smoking during the fueling process. Additionally, before launching into Maryland waters, you should remove all visible plants, animals, mud, and debris from the boat to protect the environment. It's also crucial that you drain and rinse any live wells, bilge areas, and coolers, as well as rinse all fishing equipment, boats, trailers, and SCUBA gear with a hard spray from a garden hose. Doing so can help prevent the spread of invasive species and protect the health of the waters you are using.
While fueling, it's essential to understand that gasoline can be dangerous due to its high-energy density and the potential for its vapors to ignite. However, proper handling reduces the risk significantly. Lastly, always consult the appropriate safety signage, such as 'no diving' signs, as they are there for your protection and the safety of others.