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I am looking to see whether anything is out of order. Th ere will be no time
to look for what is missing or out of place when a storm comes up at sea.
—Phoenician seaman, 334 BCDoes your crew understand how to safeguard against the possibility of a fire
aboard your boat? How can you prevent the deadly “domino eff ect” in a fl ooding
emergency? Are you certain that your crew knows the top survival techniques if
they fall overboard?
In Th is Chapter, You’ll Learn How To:
D Pressure test a propane stove system to prevent a fi re
D Approach a person in the water under power or sail
D Use the magic of N.O.W. to prevent overboard emergencies
D Turn your engine into a high-capacity dewatering pump
D Survive in cold water with fi ve lifesaving techniques
Fuel-Fire Prevention Techniques
Marine fi refi ghters estimate that you have less than 30 seconds to get a fi re on
any boat under control. Many items on your boat burn extremely hot, including
fi berglass. It takes no time for liquids like diesel, gasoline, propane, or kerosene to
reach fl ash point and give off combustible vapor. At that point, one spark causes
combustion.
On vessels, most serious fi res start during fueling or cooking. Fuel fi res
almost always are the result of improper pre-fueling and post-fueling procedures.
Galley fi res combine improper preheating, storage, vapor ventilation, and failure
to monitor cooking activities.
A basic checklist goes a long way in preventing common emergencies. Make
it simple and keep it in a three-ring binder. Laminate the lists, or put them into
document protectors, and separate the lists with tabbed inserts.
Below are the tools and steps required for safely fueling your boat.
PREVENTING
AND HANDLING
EMERGENCIES
13