What would you do?

“I smell smoke,” are terrifying words aboard a sailboat offshore. Just what would
you do? Would you dial 911? I hope not. Would you jump overboard? Get ready,
but don’t jump yet. Would you call for help on your VHF radio? You might do this
- but?

Each of these scenarios might be appropriate under certain conditions. But you
are most likely to be left to your own devices to handle a fire while offshore. The
order of the actions to be taken vary slightly depending on the conditions.

Locate the Fire

If the fire originated from an explosion or appears to be of great magnitude,
definitely prepare to enter the water. However, it is wise to first turn your boat in
a direction to lesson or slow the spread of the fire. If the smoke is arising from
the engine compartment (typically located slightly aft of amidships), point your
bow into the wind and have passengers move to the bow area while wearing
PFDs.

Before opening the engine compartment and adding oxygen to the fire, grab
the nearest fire extinguisher and find a small port through which the nozzle of
the extinguisher will fit. Insert the nozzle and discharge the contents of the
extinguisher into the engine compartment.

If the fire is in the galley, determine the burning materials. If it is a grease
fire in a pan on the stove, try smothering the flames with a blanket, tarp, or
pillow. However if the cooking fuel is burning, another solution looms. Begin by
cutting off the supply of fuel to the fire. For a small propane fire, press the red
button of the solenoid switch to turn off the supply at the tank outside. If the fire
is alcohol burning, douse it with water. When electrical wires or shorted batteries
burn, the electrical current must first be shut off to remove the source of
ignition. A fire requires three elements in order to burn: heat, oxygen, and fuel.
by removing any one of the three, the fire will extinguish.

Fire Extinguishers

Activate a fire extinguisher. Every boat is required to carry one or more
extinguishers that should be located in critical areas: the galley, near the engine
compartment, and in the cockpit near the helms person. It is critical to
extinguish a small fire immediately, for if the fiberglass of the boat begins to burn, chances
of extinguishing it are slight. Most fire extinguishers found on pleasure boats are capable
of extinguishing all three categories of burning materials. They are rated for A, B, and C fires.
The burning material of a type a fire is paper, wood, and trash. burning petroleum (diesel,
gasoline, and fiberglass) is classified as a type B fire. the final group includes electrical fires,
class C.

ABC extinguishers are clearly marked on the label. The size of the extinguisher
is a measure of the weight of the powder or chemical it contains, (Examples, 2 1/2 lb.,
5 lb., 10 lb., etc.) Most cruising sailboats have three or more extinguishers as directed
by the US Coast guard regulations.

Almost anyone can properly discharge an extinguisher with some basic knowledge and
occasional practice. For insurance purposes, extinguishers are pressure tested and
recharged annually or biannually to assure that they have not lost their charge”
(the pressurized carbon dioxide used as a propellant). The date of the last service
is indicated on the certification tag what is attached. To activate an extinguisher after
removing it from its wall bracket, the key word is PASS: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, and Sweep.

1. Pull the pin. This pin prevents an accidental discharge. It is usually held in
place by a small plastic string.

2. Aim the nozzle at the burning material. What is burning is found at the base of
the flames.

3. Squeeze the two holding handles together. With the pin removed, the two
handles will squeeze together with the upper lever moving downward toward
the handle that holds the extinguisher.

4. Sweep back and forth. Most extinguishers snuff out the fire by removing the
oxygen needed for combustion. The powder that discharges is very fine and
will suffocate the fire. Do not breath the powder (cloud).
For the smallest extinguisher (2 1/2 pound) you will have approximately 9
seconds to discharge powder before the extinguisher is empty. During that time
you range (distance) is approximately 9 to 12 feet, depending on the velocity of
the wind.

Maintenance is needed to assure that your extinguishers are ready for action.
because the very fine powder used to suffocate the fire has a tendency to settle
and cake up. Invert and shake your extinguisher vigorously every two months.
You will be able to feel the movement of the powder.

It is a good practice to have all of your extinguishers tested and recharged
before setting out on a long cruise or at lest on alternate years when coastal
sailing. However, discharge your extinguishers in a field where the fine yellow
powder will not drift into trouble. This gives all crew members practice using
PASS. Then take your extinguishers to be serviced when empty. The cost is the
same for recharging whether full or empty.

The only test for readiness is the pressure gauge. The arrow should point to
the green segment of the dial. If your extinguisher is ever discharged, even for
only a second, the pressure seal will be violated allowing the remainder of the
pressurized carbon dioxide to escape. This renders your extinguisher disabled
until it is again professionally serviced.

Each time you pass your extinguisher as it hangs in its bracket, in plain sight,
you will be assured that you are ready for action.