Fire is the last thing you would want on your recreational vessel. Imagine you’re on a serene cruise and suddenly a fire breaks out on your boat. Not only does it ruin your experience, but it may also irreversibly damage your property or even result in loss of lives. Now, that is something we would very much love to avoid; but some days are just unfortunate. Now, let’s consider that a fire has broken out and you’re in a panic. What would you do in such a situation? In this article, we discuss how you can effectively respond to a fire outbreak on a small vessel in South Africa.
How to Respond to a Fire Outbreak Effectively on a Small Vessel?
A fire outbreak on a boat, if not contained immediately, can become a catastrophic disaster on your vessel. A boat fire can spread rapidly, posing significant risks to passengers and property. It is natural to panic in such a situation.
However, panic can lead to making poor decisions and may worsen the decision.
Stay. Calm!
Let’s talk about it in detail.
Stay Calm and Act Quickly
As stated before, panic can degrade the situation even further. You need to stay level-headed to make impactful decisions to contain the situation.
If you suspect a fire onboard, look for the signs: smoke, flames, or the smell of burning materials. Once you identify the signs, your next step is to spot the source and type of fire.
Now, boat fires usually originate from fuel systems, electrical faults, cooking appliances, or even careless handling of flammable materials. Boats with a petrol engine especially need to be careful about this.
If the fire is small and manageable, use a fire extinguisher suitable for marine use. According to SAMSA, you must carry a fire extinguisher on board at all times. Knowing how to operate one correctly is crucial.
Remember the P.A.S.S. Technique!
- Pull: A fire extinguisher has a small pin that prevents the extinguisher from accidental discharge. So, you should pull the safety pin before using a fire extinguisher.
- Aim: Aim the nozzle of the fire extinguisher low at the base of the fire.
- Squeeze: Once you aim, immediately squeeze the trigger. You pull out the pin from this trigger. Squeeze the extinguisher slowly and evenly for a desirable result.
- Sweep: As the gas starts coming out, sweep the nozzle to cover all the fire-affected areas.
Shut Off Fuel and Electric Sources
Consider shutting down the boat’s engine and electrical systems only if it is safe to do so. Doing so will potentially limit the fuel for your fire.
If the fire is in the engine compartment and if the boat has an inbuilt extinguisher system, deploy it from a safe location. If you do suspect there’s a fire inside, do not open the hatch. Opening the hatch may introduce more oxygen to the engine compartment, which in turn may become a catastrophic event in a split second.
Understanding fire safety on your boat means familiarising yourself with your vessel’s layout, fuel channels, and emergency shutdown mechanisms.
Use the VHF Radio, Channel 16
If you cannot contain the fire, you may want to contact authorities or rescue units. At this point, you may have to consider abandoning the boat as well.
You can use your marine radio or cell phone (if available) to contact the National Sea Rescue Institute for help. On the other hand, you may also issue a distress signal via VHF Channel 16. This line must be used in an absolute time of need. Misuse of Channel 16 can result in a penalty under the law.
A VHF Course may help you understand how you can operate a radio on a small vessel. Feel free to contact us for more info on this.
If your vessel is close to shore or in a popular boating area, nearby vessels may come running to help you. But sincerely, call for help first-hand when you need it. Fires can escalate quickly and timely assistance is key to reducing loss and injury.
Related: What is GMDSS in South Africa?
Abandon Ship?
We hope it never comes to this, but at times, you may have to consider abandoning ship. Consider taking this decision if you cannot control the fire despite taking the correct measures and it spreads beyond your ability to manage.
You must do it in an organised manner to ensure safety for all. A panicked situation serves no good to you and others. Keep everyone calm and make sure they have their life jackets.
You may also use your emergency signalling devices such as flares, whistles, or emergency position-indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs) to assist rescuers in locating you.
Bottom Line
If you quickly respond to a fire outbreak on your small vessel in South Africa, then the situation is usually containable; unless you get everything wrong. Nonetheless, having a fire onboard is a dangerous situation that must be swiftly dealt with.
If you are interested, there is a basic firefighting and fire prevention course for boaters, part of the basic STCW certification.
On the other hand, if you are looking for STCW certifications and superyacht crew training, feel free to connect with us today for more information.