Fire Safety For Boats

Boating is usually fun and relaxing, but even the most experienced boater should prepare for the
worst.

Whilst fire is unlikely on a boat that is well maintained to minimum safety standards, it is a grave concern to boaters who can be caught unawares or in a situation where escape is difficult.

This page has links to advice on preventing fires and how to plan for fire breaking out on a boat.

fun boating

Don't drown in toxic smoke, fit a smoke alarm if you stay aboard your boat.

Test the alarm routinely - when you return to the boat after a period away and weekly when you are staying aboard. Push the button not your luck

Know what to do should fire break out, have a plan and eveyone aboard must know it too!

If you don't have a working alarm, you'll have no warning if toxic smoke is threatening you.

Guidelines for installing smoke alarms on boats - Aug 2007

What is the best type of smoke alarm to buy for boats? Where is it best installed? Does it need much looking after?

All these questions are answered in these Guidelines.

A second safety alert has been issued to boaters about portable gas cookers following incidents causing serious burns. The BSS, Hampshire Trading Standards, the Broads Authority and the Environment Agency all urge boat owners to take extra care to follow the manufacturers' operating instructions for gas stoves and to use them onshore only. They should not be used on or in a boat.

The first safety alert can be seen here.

Consider having a Boat Fire Safety Check. Boat Fire Safety Checks are on offer for free by participating fire and rescue services. The 'Check' was developed by Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service in partnership with the BSS. It is carried out by fire-fighters and it isn't a BSS examination. It is more of a guided chat with the owners about how they use boats, appliances and cabin space. Fire prevention advice as owner and fire-fighter 'go through' the boat together.

What should you do if fire breaks out?

There's information on making a fire action plan in the Fire Kills and BSS booklet , Fire Safety On Boats. It has more advice on cutting the chances of fire happening and some useful contacts for further information.

Fire extinguishing and escape - What sort of fire extinguishers are necessary for inland waterways using the BSS requirements? What's the minimum necessary fire fighting capacity? How can you check the condition of extinguishers on your boat? What standard should my fire blanket meet? What's the BSS advice on the very minimum recommended fire escape facilities?

All these questions are answered in Chapter 6 of the BSS Essential Guide (2005).

Most boaters will never experience a fire on a boat, but on average there is at least one boat fire a week reported. Some are deliberate and some are accidental.

The annual reports of all incidents including fire and carbon monoxide poisoning recorded by the Boat Safety Scheme are available here.

Recorded incidents of 2006

Recorded incidents of 2007

From our incident records, it is clear that solid fuel stoves are a significant cause of fires, carbon monoxide and injury to boaters. Their use on boats is ever popular and they provide a cosy, 'dry' heat at reasonable cost and they are nice to see. But they need to be treated with respect. We have developed a solid fuel stove safety information section with advice for anyone choosing to fit or refit a stove, as well as for people who already have one in use.

The BSS has had a number of reports of fires and near incidents of fire caused by domed decklights or bulls eyes focusing sunlight on combustible material in the path of the magnified rays.

Such decklights have been used for hundreds of years, but in a few cases boats are at risk. So the BSS is advising owners of boats with bulls eyes fitted simply to be vigilant and check for any signs of heat or fire damage.

The Fire Protection Associaton Report - ' Smoke Alarms for Recreational Boats' July 2007.

Link to the Stay Safe introduction page

BSS Home