If you have ever seen a fiberglass boat catch fire and burn, particularly a gasoline-powered boat, you will appreciate just how devastating a fire afloat is. Fiberglass is highly flammable and fuel tanks are bombs just waiting to have their fuses lit.
So, as we get into the spring and many of us get our boats ready for the summer boating and cruising seasons, cast your thoughts to what you need to do to prevent a fire from starting and then how to deal with the emergency should it occur.
Coast Guard approved fire extinguishers are required on all motorize craft and larger boats more often than not are fitted with dedicated fire-suppression systems. Fires, more often than not, start in one of four places: the engine room, the main electrical system lockers or cabinets, the house battery bank and the galley.
Starting with the engine room, ventilation is both required and it is essential that it be capable of removing fumes quickly and thoroughly. Diesel doesn’t explode like gas but it burns with horrible effects.
Marine electrical systems with multiple connections and often a jumble of retrofitted pieces of gear are notorious for shorts, overheated connections and sparks. Taking care of all your connections with ABYC approved gear and methods is a serious step to preventing fires.
The battery bank on most cruising boats will be tucked away but these boxes of concentrated energy can easily cause a fire if the system is not set up properly. Over charging and thus overheating batteries is a common cause of fires so you need to make sure the charge controllers, the shunts, relays and the house electric panels are all up to ABYC standards.
Lastly, galley fires can ruin your day. Make sure the propane solenoid switch is functioning properly. Keep a fire extinguisher handy and have an aluminum fire blanket at the ready in case you have an oil or grease fire.
Fire prevention often falls down the to-do list but a little fore thought and attention to details can be a life saver.
