Reduce the Risk of Fires Onboard Your Boat with These Fire Safety Tips

Avoid Boat Fires with Boating Safety

Boat fires are one of the scariest and most dangerous accidents that can happen onboard a boat out on the water. But they are also preventable with boating safety knowledge and fire prevention knowledge. Due to the extreme danger of boat fires, the Sea Tow Foundation has offered boaters several important tips in an effort to help prevent fires onboard.

The Sea Tow Foundation Fire Safety Tips

Fire Extinguisher Safety:  Make sure to have fire extinguishers on board your boat and in easily accessible locations in the event of a fire. It’s important to know the proper size fire extinguisher that you need for your boat and depending on the boat’s size, you may need several. Have your fire extinguishers inspected regularly.

Fueling Safety:  Before you begin fueling your boat, shut off all flames onboard the boat and have all passengers exit the boat. You'll want to shut off all stoves, grills, ovens, etc.; anything with a flame. Next, you’re going to shut all windows, doors or any openings on the boat in order to keep any fumes from entering the boat. Make sure to keep the fuel nozzle in contact with the tank of your boat while fueling in order to prevent any sparks.

Avoid overfilling the tank, allowing the fuel some room to expand while you’re running the boat’s engine. Make sure to wipe up any fuel spills (if they happen) and then promptly and carefully dispose of the rags. When you’re done fueling your boat, open all of the doors and windows back up and let the exhaust blower run for about four minutes.

Perform a “sniff” test before starting the engine. If you still smell fumes, then let the exhaust blower run for a bit longer until the smell of fumes is gone. And of course, NEVER smoke while fueling your boat.

Electrical Safety:  Regularly inspect or have your electrical connections inspected by an electrical inspector. You’ll also want to have any power connection lines on shore inspected before plugging your boat into them. If you see frayed wiring or see sparks, shut off the power source immediately. Do not attempt to use again until you have the issue repaired.

Heater Safety:  Never leave a heater unattended when in an enclosed space and of course, be cautious even while attended.

What to Do if a Fire Breaks Out Onboard

1. Have life jackets readily available and accessible. Make sure that everyone onboard puts on a life jacket right away.
2. Try to position the boat in a way that keeps the fire downwind if this is at all possible. Keep the passengers upwind and away from the fire.
3. Remember to NEVER use water on a grease fire, oil fire or gasoline fire because this can cause a fire to spread. Also, do not use water on an electrical fire. This can cause an electrical shock and is extremely dangerous and deadly.
4. Grab your fire extinguisher and use the PASS method to put out the fire. P – Pass. A – Aim at the base of the fire. S – Squeeze the handle. S – Sweep from side-to-side.

Have you ever seen a boat on fire?