DETROIT (WWJ) - Marine authorities have advised boat owners to stay cautious this summer after President Biden announced last month that his administration will allow the summer sale of gasoline containing 15% ethanol (E15) to help ease gas prices.
U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Jeremiah Schiessel said E15 fuel — which is usually banned from sale between June and September — will be available at roadside gas stations and boaters could be in for some big trouble if they mistakenly fill their boat tanks up with the gas blend.
"This has been an issue in years past, especially in 2019," Schiessel said to WWJ reporter Sandra McNeill. "What happens is the... EPA approves a certain blend of fuel to be used and where the Coast Guard comes into play is when boaters accidentally use this fuel in their small engines."
Schiessel said running boats on E15 fuel can cause serious marine engine damage that will void marine engine warranty.
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The blend is also known to make boat engines run hotter, therefore increasing the potential of catastrophic boat fires, Schiessel warned.
"It's also prohibited by federal law," he said of using E15 gas for recreational vessel use.
Schiessel added that boat owners should be careful when using roadside gas stations since E15 fuel is acceptable for most towing vehicles. People may forget to check what gas is available out of convenience of filling up their boat and car or truck at the same time.
E15 may not be easily identifiable at the pump.
Schiessel said boaters should check for an orange sticker while at the pump that will have a warning message about filling up marine motors with E15 gas.
"But sometimes," he said, "the labels can be overlooked."
Schiessel said while other blends of ethanol fuel exist, these are safe to use in boats "as long as the ethanol content doesn't exceed 10%."
