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Fire Suppression & Visual Distress Signals

Learn about fire prevention, types of fires, extinguishers, and visual distress signals for safe boating. Follow essential strategies to combat fires on board and properly utilize visual distress signals in emergency situations.

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Fire Suppression & Visual Distress Signals

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  1. Fire Suppression & Visual Distress Signals Boating Safety USF/MOCC Course Ben Meister

  2. Fire Prevention Fire Precaution If you remove one element from the triangle, you have NO fire

  3. Fire Prevention Be cautious and take safeguards to prevent completing the fire triangle. • Always perform a sniff test • Complete routine inspection of electrical systems • Make sure batteries have a cover over the terminals. • Sniff test!

  4. Fire Classes • Class C • Electrical • Class D • Combustible metals like magnesium • Class A • Combustible solids like wood • Class B • Flammable liquids like gasoline

  5. Fire Extinguishers Required on motorboats if there is any space where flammable materials or vapors can present a fire hazard. • Closed compartments • Areas where portable fuel tanks may be stored • Permanently installed fuel tanks • Closed living spaces

  6. Fire Extinguishers Types of Extinguishers-Must be USCG Approved • Fire Extinguisher Classification (size, minimum extinguishing agent weight): • B-IBoats less than 26 feet must carry at least one B-I extinguisher • B-II Boats 26 to 40 feet must carry two B-I or one B-II extinguisher • Boats 40 to 65 feet must carry three B-I or one B-I and one B-II A fixed fire extinguishing system in machinery spaces will replace one B-I portable extinguisher

  7. Fire Extinguisher Inspection • Example Label: • Type of Fire(s) • Extinguishing Agent • Size of Extinguisher • USCG Approval # • Servicing Requirements • Visual Inspection • Weight, Pressure • Dry Chem Packing • Bracket Requirements • Mounted and readily accessible

  8. Agents and Sizes DO NOT use water on gasoline, oil, or electrical fires DO NOT use CO2 on Class A fires

  9. Fixed Fire Suppression Systems • Custom engineered systems – engineered for the specific vessel it is found in • Pre-engineered systems - intended to be an "off the shelf" for “after market” installation • Alternative – use of a portable or semi-portable fire extinguisher used as an exception to the “fixed” system aboard a small vessel

  10. Fire Extinguishers The PASS technique :

  11. Fire Fire Suppression : • If faced with a fire on board, save lives first • Fire fighting should be done to contain a small fire to enable safe exit of operator and crew • Fuel and fuel vapors are the two leading ingredients in all boat fires and explosions

  12. Fire Firefighting Strategies:

  13. Fire Priority of Response : • Head boat into wind so flames blow overboard, stop boat, turn off motor, blower, and main electrical circuit • Notify and give location – FIRE, FIRE, FIRE • If burning material is not attached, throw overboard • Make radio distress call • Move crew to safe area, don PFD • Use appropriate fire extinguisher to fight fire • Abandon ship if necessary- Flotation, EPIRB, Supplies, VDS, Communication, Exposure protection

  14. Visual Distress Signals Purpose: 1. Attract Attention 2. Pinpoint Location for rescue vessel to serve as a guide

  15. Types of VDS

  16. Visual Distress Signals • Vessels less than 16’: • required to carry approved VDS for • night timeuse. • Vessels 16’ – 65’: • required to carry approved VDS for bothday time and night time use. • Standard minimum Requirement: • - 3 Day & 3 Night Pyrotechnic • - Non-Pyro can also be used

  17. Required Equipment Visual Distress Signal (VDS) For use in coastal waters, the Great Lakes, and the high seas

  18. Visual Distress Signals When to use – Be prepared to use the different types of VDS when 1. You are in distress and in need of assistance 2. There is assistance within the area that will likely see the VDS. When NOT to use - DO NOT randomly ignite VDS if you do not feel a sighting will be made by others. VDS is likely limited. Wasteful use will reduce chances of rescue. VDS must be USCG Approved, readily attainable, dry-stored, current within date of expiration. • The USCG prohibits use of VDS unless • there is an actual distress or prior approval is obtained.

  19. VDS USE General Use -Follow Directions -Hold at angle, down wind, over rail -Do not waive over head -Do not point at crew -Do not hold above indication line -Do not allow discharge to drop down hand

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