Safety on Board Fire safety  Common causes of fire  Smoking below decks  Solvents paints stored below  Gas build up in the bilges  Faulty wiring  Cooking fats Fire needs Heat, Fuel & Oxygen. Cut out any one and the fire goes out. Check Boat for potential fire hazards: defective wiring, oil in bilge, accumulated waste paper or rags in lockers, suspect fuel or gas fittings.

Fire safety Extinguishers  1) automatic for engine space  2) Saloon  3) Fore cabin  Dry powder, don’t use on flammable liquids  Co2/Halocarbon, good for enclosed spaces  AFFF – foam, good for flammable liquids  Blanket – good for smothering flames and if clothing is on fire Petrol/Gasoline vapours  Always vent engine space before starting an inboard petrol engine  Keep outboards on deck to avoid the build-up of petrol vapour below

Gas safety  Butane and propane can be highly dangerous  Escaping gas is heavier than air and will sink into bilges  Bilge pumps are designed to pump water – many won’t clear gas very effectively  To clear gas open hatches and turn downwind to vent fresh air through the boat  Keep gas bottle in a sealed locker that drains overboard  Shut-off valve inside near cooker.

Other  Personal safety  Life jackets / harnesses (whistle)  Knife + flashlight for each crew member  Man overboard  Deck hatches, pumps & toilet inlets  Should be closed while underway (always close toilet inlet directly after flushing)  Flares, Flash lights, Knife  First aid kit  EPIRBs  Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon, to get people rescued within 24 hrs. following activation.