Fight Fire
Your boat is on fi re! Now what?
Y
ou’ve just dropped anchor after a great day cruising
when someone down below shouts “fire!” What happens
in the next 60 seconds will likely determine whether you’ll
spend the evening grilling steaks or poring over the fine
print in your insurance policy.
Do you have a fire action plan and are your crewmembers
familiar with it? Is there an adequate amount of fire
extinguishers on-board and are they operational? Does
the crew know where the extinguishers are located and
how to operate them?
These are just some of the questions all boat owners should
be able to answer well in advance of a fire. Let’s take a look at
how to increase your chances of enjoying that steak dinner.Fire extinguisher checks and placement
Ensure you have the correct number and type of required fire
extinguishers on-board (see sidebar). Verify each is in good
working order, is readily accessible and is properly mounted
in appropriate, easily visible locations adjacent to exit paths.
A good rule of thumb is that you should never have to travel
more than half the length of your boat to reach an extinguisher.
Portable extinguishers should be located near the galley,
engine compartment, and in all living and sleeping spaces.
Bear in mind that the minimum requirements are just that;
it’s always good to have additional units on-board.
While mounting an extinguisher in an easily visible location
is preferred, include a weatherproof “fire extinguisher” label
outside where it can be easily seen for those mounted out of
sight (like inside a cockpit locker).
Fire extinguishers have different maintenance schedules
based on type and extinguishing agent. In addition to
monthly owner checks for physical damage and low gauge
pressure, it’s a good idea to have units professionally
inspected and tagged annually.Safety planning and fire prevention
The best way to fight fire is by preventing it from happening
in the first place. A fire can occur anywhere on-board,
but many start in the engine compartment as a result of
electrical malfunctions, fuel leaks or overheating. The galley
is another likely spot, due to cooking mishaps, although to
a lesser extent than you’d think.
Having a fire action plan in place is key. Post diagrams of
your vessel in prominent spots that show the location of all
portable extinguishers, as well as the controls for permanently
mounted units (those in the engine room, for example).
Other good information to display includes primary and
alternate escape routes for all spaces (particularly sleeping
areas), and the location of cut-off valves and switches forelectrical, fuel, and LPG or CNG systems. Run through
what would happen in each area of your boat if you had to get
out quick. Is that V-berth hatch big enough to use as a fire
escape? Is it blocked by the dinghy stowed on the foredeck?
Review your boat’s fire safety plan with passengers and crew
prior to getting underway. Hold fire drills regularly to ensure
everyone knows what to do. Posting simple instructions, as
well as providing training on the operation of VHF radios and
how to determine vessel location (reading coordinates from a
chartplotter, for example) will ensure everyone knows how to
call for help and tell rescue organizations where the vessel is
located in case of emergency.In the event of a fire
If a fire occurs while docked, the best course of action is to
evacuate the boat, dial 911 and let professional firefighters
handle the flames. Remember, fire extinguishers are small,
quick fixes; if you can’t put out the fire with one extinguisher
(two at the most), get off the boat.
Your response to an onboard fire while anchored or
underway will ultimately depend on existing conditions, like
the type of fire and its location; however, one of the first steps
in any scenario should be to notify the Coast Guard using
VHF channel 16. Promptly informing someone you’re in
trouble gives rescue agencies (or good Samaritans nearby) a
faster response time should assistance be needed. Once contact
is established, pass crucial information as quickly as possible
(location, type and size of vessel, number of people on-board,
boat name, etc.) as there might not be a second chance should
the fire knock out your electronics.
If the fire occurs while underway, stop the boat and pay
attention to your surroundings. Maneuver to avoid other
vessels or running aground. If the fire is in the engine room,
one of the worst things to do is the first thing everyone
wants to do: Open up the compartment to see what’s going
on. Doing so provides additional oxygen, which can turn a
smoldering fire into an abandon ship conflagration.
The best way to fight an engine room fire is to have
an appropriately sized clean agent automatic extinguisher
system mounted within the engine compartment. Unlike
dry chemical units, clean agent extinguishers (CO2, halon,
halocarbon FE-241, etc.) leave no corrosive residue. Since
clean agent extinguishers snuff out the fire without damaging
the engine and components, boaters can often restart their
engines (after locating and correcting the initial problem)
and return to port under their own power.
Few things are more frightening to a mariner than a fire;
however, proper planning beforehand will help minimize
damage and ensure the safety of all on-board. ★ FIRE PHOTO (LEFT) MPWARD; EXTINGUISHER PHOTO BY CAPT. FRANK LANIER; FIRE PHOTO (RIGHT) BY BAR EVERSONDON’T HESITATE TO RENOVATE
BY CAPT. FRANK LANIERCAPT. FRANK LANIER
is an award-winning
journalist, boat maintenance
guru and owner of Capt F.K.
Lanier & Associates, Marine
Surveyors and Consultants:
CAPTFKLANIER.COM.Remember the
P.A.S.S. Word
There are four basic steps
to using a fi re extinguisher
— just remember the
P.A.S.S. Word.
Pull safety pin
Aim extinguisher at
the base of the fi re
Squeeze handle
Sweep hose from
side-to-side while
dischargingMinimum Number
of Portable Fire
Extinguishers
Required by
USCG
Less than 26 feet- No Fixed System: (1) B-I
- With Approved Fixed
Systems: (0)
26 feet to less
than 40 feet - No Fixed System:
(2) B-I or (1) B-II - With Approved Fixed
Systems: (1) B-I
40 to 65 feet - No Fixed System:
(3) B-I or (1) B-II and
(1) B-I - With Approved Fixed
Systems: (2) B-I or (1)
B-II
MAY 2018 | LAKELANDBOATING.COMRenovations_MAY18.indd 30 3/29/18 8:32 AM