Fire on a Boat: What You Need to Know and Do

On January 17, 2023
By Kimberly

Fire is one of the scariest situations you can face on a boat. Here are some considerations; some things to do or not do, and a few ideas. Feel free to comment below if you have any additions.

First, check your safety. Second, check the safety of your crew. Alert everyone. Third, assess boat. Fourth, scan around boat for assistance and or dangers
Find the source
Shut off engine, generator, anything sharing a space with the fire so you don’t bring more oxygen into the area
Turn part of boat that is on fire downwind so the fire doesn’t sweep across the boat, and so that the smoke blows away instead of blinding you and your crew
De-activate blowers so you don’t bring in more oxygen
Activate manually-deployed fire extinguisher system closest to you
Use fire blanket
Close it down; hatches doors, etc
Get ready to put on lifejackets
Call Mayday – you can always cancel the call
Do not open the hatches
Turn off propane supply
Throw burning material overboard if possible
Keep a door between you and the fire
If you must open a door, do it like in the movies; you behind the door, opening very slowly
Activate any other manually-deployed fire extinguisher system if you have one and it does not self-deploy
Be ready to abandon ship
Radio fast and first; fire burn wires and batteries, so you might not have a radio later
Wait 15 before open any spaces; they will still be hot; re-flash if reintroduce oxygen
Potentially prepare to leave boat and anchor. So many decisions; total loss?
Possibly drift to sandbar and get off.
If the fire is containable, possibly anchor so you don’t end up on damaging another boat
Back of hand on doors, engine room insulated can’t feel, reflash, have portable in hand
C02 is deadly; ventilate thoroughly, it sinks, so don’t crouch down, do cover your mouth
Halon sinks, but is ok to breathe in the 5-7% concentration used in engine room automatic extinguishing systems according to Chapman’s
Communication: if alone, activate DSC and/or EPIRB.
Communication: if needed, sound danger signal five short blasts on horn repeatedly to alert vessels in vicinity.
Communication: if needed, deploy flares.
Communication: warn nearby vessels by VHF or any necessary means to ensure their safety and give them time to evade.

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