Guidelines for Health and Safety on Board Small Fishing Boats

Fire on board a vessel at sea (or alongside) is extremely serious. Fire can spread quickly and smoke becomes very intense very quickly. This makes fire fighting harder.

Fires can start anywhere on a vessel. They most often start in the Galley or in the Engine Room.

Check section 2 for more detail about how to fight fires on board.

You can’t share a small vessel with a large fire!

Action Points

• Raise Alarm. Shout “FIRE” or sound the alarm.
• Attempt to put out fire using a portable fire extinguisher.
• Stop all ventilation. Turn off fans.

If unsuccessful:

• Get out and close up the compartment.
• Shut off all power and fuel supplies to compartment on fire (if possible).
• Activate fixed fire extinguishing system (if fitted).
• Close all openings, doors, vents to the compartment. Keep eye out for smoke coming out and block holes so fire is starved of oxygen.
• Protect the life raft from the fire.
• Dampen hot spots on external bulkheads and on the deck above the compartment on fire to stop the spread. Use water sparingly to avoid creating a stability problem due to free surface water.
• Prepare to abandon ship.

Note

• More specific Fire fighting information is in Section 2 of these guidelines.