Fire Safety
Fire on a boat is extremely dangerous — there is nowhere to retreat to. Prevention is critical: maintain fuel systems, keep bilges clean of fuel and oil, ensure gas systems have proper shut-offs, and never leave cooking unattended.
The fire triangle requires fuel, heat, and oxygen. Remove any one element and the fire goes out. Fire extinguishers on boats are typically dry powder (multi-purpose), CO2 (for electrical fires), or fire blankets (for galley fires). Know where every extinguisher is stowed and how to use them before you need them.
Key Points
- Fire triangle — fuel, heat, oxygen (remove one to extinguish)
- Dry powder extinguisher — multi-purpose
- CO2 extinguisher — electrical and liquid fuel fires
- Fire blanket — galley fires (chip pan, stove)
- Gas shut-off — always turn off at the bottle when not in use