What must you do when underway and a fire starts?

A fire on your boat is a serious emergency that demands quick action.

You can find all three of these things in and around most boats.

Gasoline fumes, which are heavier than air, can easily collect in the hull of a boat if there isn't proper ventilation. Just add a spark from an ignition and you could have a boat fire on your hands.

Removing any of these three sources will also let you extinguish the fire. We'll remember that as we learn what to do in the case of a fire on your boat.

If you are boating and a fire starts on board, here is what to do:

Nice work! You've put out the fire. Now, it's time to get to shore safely.

Use a distress signal or your marine radio to notify other boaters that you need help.

2 How would you explain this on the 3394?

3 If Fire Erupts on YOUR Boat If Underway, stop the boat Have everyone who is not wearing a PFD put one on Position the boat so that the fire is DOWNWIND If the fire is in an engine space, shut off the fuel supply Aim the fire extinguisher at the base of the flames, P.A.S.S. Never use water on a gasoline, oil, grease, or electrical fire Summon help with your VHF marine radio Abandon ship if necessary

4 What is required for a fire to burn?

5 Approved Types of Fire Extinguishers Marine Type USCG Approved Type & Size Symbols, USCG approval no. Extinguishers should be readily accessible Mounted Correctly Maintained in a serviceable condition Inspect Regularly Seal is not broken or missing Gauges are in operable range

6 Fuel SourceClass of Fire Type of Extinguisher (Extinguishing Agent) Ordinary combustibles (e.g. trash, wood, paper, cloth) A Water; chemical foam; dry chemical* Flammable liquids (e.g. oils, grease, tar, gasoline, paints, thinners) B Carbon dioxide (CO2); halon**; dry chemical; aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) Electricity (e.g. live electrical equipment) C CO2; halon; dry chemical Combustible metals (e.g. magnesium, titanium) D Dry powder (suitable for the specific combustible metal involved) Fire Class & Fire Extinguisher Type

7 Four Types of Fire Extinguishing Agents Dry Chemical extinguishers are usually rated for multiple purpose use. They contain an extinguishing agent and used a compressed, non- flammable gas as a propellant. Halon extinguishers contain a gas that interrupts the chemical reaction that takes place when fuels burn. These types of extinguishers are often used to protect valuable electrical equipment since they leave no residue to clean up. Water. These extinguishers contain water and compressed gas and should only be used on Class A (ordinary combustibles) fires. Carbon Dioxide (CO2) extinguishers are most effective on Class B and C (liquids and electrical) fires. The carbon dioxide is stored as a compressed liquid in the extinguisher; as it expands, it cools the surround air.

8 Length of Vessel Without Fixed System With Fixed System * Less than 26 feet one B-INone 26 feet to less than 40 feet two B-I or one B-IIone B-I 40 feet to less than 65 feet three B-I or one B-II and one B-I two B-I or one B-II * refers to a permanently installed fire extinguisher system TYPE & QUANTITY of Fire Extinguishers Corps vessels under 26 feet require 1 Fire Extinguisher = 1A - 10B:C

9 Fire Extinguisher Charge Indicators To check this style of extinguisher, depress the green button. If it is fully charged, the green button should pop back out immediately. On this style of fire extinguisher, the needle indicator should be in the "full" range.

10 What Does P. A. S. S. Stand For ?

12 P. A. S. S. Demonstration

13 Fuel Your Vessel – Safely Before Beginning to Fuel Secure vessel to the fueling dock All Passengers will Exit the Boat No smoking is permitted during fueling Ensure Fuel Lines, Connections, & Fuel Vents are OK Turn off anything that may cause a spark – engine, fans Turn off fuel valves and extinguish all open flames Close all windows, ports, doors, and openings to prevent fumes from entering vessel Remove portable fuel tanks to fill Ensure fire extinguisher is in reach

14 Fuel Your Vessel – Safely While Filling the Fuel Tank Keep the nozzle of the fuel-pump hose in solid contact with the tank opening to prevent producing a static spark Use caution and fill the tank slowly to avoid spilling fuel into the boat’s bilge or into the water. Use an oil- absorbent pad to catch drips or spills. Never fill a tank to the brim – leave room for fuel to expand

15 Fuel Your Vessel – Safely After Fueling Put the fill cap on tightly to prevent vapors from escaping Wipe up any spilled fuel and properly dispose of the used paper towels on shore Open all windows, ports, doors, and other openings If your boat is equipped with a power ventilation system (exhaust blower), turn it on for at least four minutes before starting your engine. This will eliminate fuel vapors in the bilge. Before starting the engine, sniff the bilge and engine compartments for fuel vapors. Continue ventilating until you cannot smell any fuel vapors. Start the engine and reload your passengers.

Causes of fire onboard

Most fires onboard are located in engine room and they are caused by oil leakages, boiler incidents, electrical failures or accidents during hot work operations due to lack of proper maintenance and poor watchkeeping. Cargo spaces and accommodation are also locations where a fire may start.

Real Life Accident

While alongside its berth, a coastal ro-ro passenger vessel was using its small auxiliary boiler to provide onboard accommodation heating while the main engines were shut down. Shortly after the boiler began operating, the engine room fire alarm activated, indicating a fire in the vicinity of the auxiliary boiler. The vessel’s engineers were mustered and sent to the engine room to investigate. When they approached the auxiliary boiler, they saw flames inside the burner casing and smoke entering the engine room through the burner unit’s melted sight glass. The engineers quickly shut the boiler down and put the fire out with a portable foam fire extinguisher. When the boiler was examined, the engineers found that the internal fuel supply pipe to the burner nozzle was leaking at a compression fitting. When the pipe was removed, one of its compression fittings was found to be worn and damaged to the point it could no longer provide a seal against the fuel pressure. Fortunately, in this case, the consequences of the fire were not serious. However, boiler explosions, including those resulting in fatalities, have occurred when there has been fuel leakage into a boiler furnace.

Actions to be taken

As soon as a fire is detected, several actions should be taken to ensure the safety of the vessel and the personnel.

General alarm should be sounded
Bridge team should be informed
Fire party should muster
The fire should be isolated, by closing ventilation system, skylights, doors, boundary cooling, etc
Before entering the fire space, crew should wear the appropriate PPE and use the proper fire extinguishing system, regarding the type of fire
Interested parties should be notified

SQE Marine has prepared a checklist aiming to provide the necessary steps required, in case of a fire onboard.

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES: Read in this series

If fire erupts on your boat:

Stop the boat if you are underway. Have everyone who is not wearing a PFD put one on in case you must abandon the boat.
Position the boat so that the fire is downwind.
- If the fire is at the back of the boat, head into the wind. If the engine must be shut off, use a paddle to keep the bow into the wind.
- If the fire is at the front of the boat, put the stern into the wind.
If the fire is in an engine space, shut off the fuel supply.
Aim the fire extinguisher at the base of the flames, and sweep back and forth.
Never use water on a gasoline, oil, grease, or electrical fire.
Summon help with your VHF marine radio.