Boating and Sailing.pdf - Moja ladja

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Part 5: Staying Safe Afloat
A great option on larger
boats is an automatic fire
suppression system such as
this one from Sea-Fire
Marine. The system reacts to
excessive heat in engine or
fuel compartments and discharges
a fire-extinguishing
chemical that puts out the
blaze in seconds.
(Photo credit: Jerry Martin
Associates)
Small fires in other parts of the boat are usually less critical—although they can get big in
a hurry, particularly if strong winds are fanning them. If possible, turn the boat so that the
fire blows off the boat, rather than into it. This will slow the spread of the flames and give
you a few added minutes to fight them.
Cabin boats sometimes have galley fires. A handy flame retardant for grease fires is baking
soda, a staple on most boats to keep the refrigerator or cooler smelling fresh. Throw
loose handfuls of baking soda at the base of the flame. Don’t use water—it can spread the
flames.
Other cabin fires involving clothing or upholstery can be put out with your most abundant
extinguisher on a boat, water brought below via a bucket or the boat’s wash-down
system.
Calling for Help
You can call the Coast Guard for advice or aid when you have problems, to be sure, but
never issue the famous MAYDAY … MAYDAY … MAYDAY call to the Coast Guard
unless you have a life-threatening emergency. (Running out of gas 20 miles at sea doesn’t
qualify.) The Coast Guard will help you in contacting other boats nearby to render aid,
hook you up with a commercial towing service, or send members of the all-volunteer