Guidelines for Health and Safety on Board Small Fishing Boats

Fire is very dangerous for vessels at sea. Fishing vessels use and carry lots of things that can cause fires. Once a fire starts on board a fishing vessel at sea it can be very hard to put out. You need to do everything you can to keep your vessel afloat and seaworthy.

In this section you will find out:

• what can cause fires
• how to prevent fires from starting
• how to fight fires safely and effectively.

Every vessel should have regular fire drills. Practising what you have to do is the best way to remember it.

Important points for all crew

Know and look out for fire risks.

Know what fire equipment is held on board.

Know where all fire fighting equipment is held onboard.

Know how and when to use all the fighting equipment.

Know how to contain a fire on board.

Know the effects of fire fighting water on stability.

Know your role in fighting a fire on board.

Flammable hazard:
A flammable hazard is something that could ignite a fire, or something that burns easy

Flammable hazards - Every vessel at sea has a large number of Flammable Hazards on board. These include:

Things that can ignite or start the fire

• heat and sparks from electrical switches, motors, tools and leads
• cooker flames
• sparks from grinding and welding
• generators
• cigarettes and matches or lighters

Things that can give the fire fuel to burn

• diesel fuel
• gas
• cleaning chemicals
• rags with oil or chemicals on them
• hydraulic oil