Equipment Outfitters

Since fire on a boat is second in seriousness only to sinking, you want to keep fire-fighting equipment as readily available as the vessel’s lifesaving devices. Frequent checks to be sure your extinguishers are properly charged are not wasted effort. Nor are drills in which everyone is made aware of what to do. Speed is of the essence when dealing with a fire aboard; calm and quick action is the best approach.

What to do first

1. Have your crew put on their life jackets.
2. Keep the fire downwind of the boat. If the fire is in the stern, turn the boat into the wind. If the fire is forward, turn the boat downwind.
3. Stop the boat to minimize the effect of wind on the flames.
4. If the fire is in loose gear, such as a cushion or pot, throw the burning object overboard.
5. Localize the fire by closing engine hatches or portholes.
6. Close off fuel lines and move portable fuel tanks and flammable material away from the fire area.

Fire-fighting Techniques

With dry chemical fire extinguishers, aim at the base of the fire and squeeze the trigger in short squirts, using a sweeping motion to fan the chemical across the bottom of the fire. Don’t wait to see if one fire extinguisher is sufficient. Gather all extinguishers for immediate use. Use the contents of each until you are sure that the fire is extinguished and will not reignite. But save at least part of one in case the fire reignites.

Coast Guard-Required Class B Fire Extinguishers

On the assumption that you will probably have a Class B (gas or grease) fire the Coast Guard requires that you have either a Type B-I or B-II extinguisher on board, depending on boat size. Dry chemical is the least expensive, carbon dioxide leaves no residue, freon or Halon is usually part of automatic systems and foam is legal but rarely used aboard boats.

Different types of fires require different techniques and materials to put them out. Fire extinguishers are classified by size (I or II) and by the type of fire (A, B or C) they are designed to put out. Water, unfortunately, is of little use in fire fighting on board a powerboat since most fires will be of gas, grease or electrical origin. Dry chemical extinguishers, which can he used on all fires, are the most popular.

Alcohol, Wood or Fabrics

Water can, for the most part, be used to douse fires fueled by wood, fabric or alcohol. Nevertheless, water can sometimes spread an alcohol fire by splashing the alcohol to other areas. Shut off the stove before extinguishing the blaze. Use an appropriate extinguisher.

Grease

Water must not be used on these fires. It is best handled by a Type B extinguisher.

Engine Fires

Immediately turn the engine ignition off and, if possible, shut off the fuel valve. Open the engine cover slightly using a paddle or boathook and shoot the contents of the extinguisher into the engine compartment. Be cautious when re-opening the hatch, as the fire may re-ignite.

Electrical Fires

Cut off the power to the circuit and smother the burning area with Type C chemical. Make sure that the fire is fully extinguished and that nearby materials are not smoldering.

Notes

Aboard a fiberglass boat, you can use water to cool down fiberglass in a fire area. You can also use water to dampen your own clothing and fabrics in the fire area.

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