Coroner's Finding: Daley, Brian Owen

Male·carbon monoxide intoxication due to inhalation of exhaust from a petrol generator on a boat

Brian Owen Daley died from carbon monoxide poisoning in the cabin of a moored boat. A portable petrol generator installed in an enclosed machinery space had a poorly constructed exhaust system with multiple faults: an obstructed muffler (blocked by a shower fitting), a hole in plastic piping allowing exhaust to escape into the cabin, and inadequate securing. The generator was installed contrary to manufacturer warnings against enclosed-space use and exhaust modification. Alcohol intoxication (0.187 mg/100mL blood) masked symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. Absence of a carbon monoxide detector prevented early detection. The death was entirely preventable through proper generator installation following manufacturer guidelines and fitting a CO detector to the cabin.