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

2. If you remove one element from the triangle, you have NO fire
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 Class A Electrical Combustible solids like wood
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
This one can be awkward to go through.
The take home point is that you need an extinguisher anytime there’s a space on your boat where fuel fumes can get trapped. Point out that fuel fumes are heavier than air. 5

6. Types of Extinguishers-Must be USCG Approved
Fire Extinguishers
Types of Extinguishers-Must be USCG Approved
Fire Extinguisher Classification (size, minimum extinguishing agent weight):
B-I Boats 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
Illustration only. 7

8. Agents and Sizes
Extinguisher Type
Class of Fire
Size / Lbs
Rationale:
B-I
B-II
CO2
B,C 4 15
High pressure gas agent, cools and displaces oxygen, ideal for extinguishing electrical fires
Halon or Halotron or
FM-200, INERGEN, and FE-13
A,B,C
2.5 10
High pressure gas that displaces oxygen and vaporizes quickly.
(Typically fixed/installed in enclosed machinery spaces)
Dry Chemical
Sodium/Potassium Bicarbonate or Mono Ammonium Phosphate 2
Pressurized powder agent, smothers fuel base.
Highly corrosive on marine parts and electronics.
Foam- AFFF
Aqueous Form Filming Foam
A,B
1.2
Water based agent, quenches, cools, blankets and smothers, can separate the vapor layer in class ‘B’ fires.
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 :
9/1/2012

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 time use.
Vessels 16’ – 65’:
required to carry approved VDS for both day time and night time use.
Standard minimum Requirement:
- 3 Day & 3 Night Pyrotechnic
- Non-Pyro can also be used
Cover the points. This will be reiterated in the VDS demo. 19

17. Visual Distress Signal (VDS)
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