New York Safe Boating - 2020 - 76

ACCIDENTS AND EMERGENCIES

Responding to Fires

However, not all accidents can be avoided. The following
section discusses different types of accidents and the
appropriate response for each.

If you have a fire on your boat, follow these steps in order:
Don your PFD immediately if you're not wearing them
already. They may not be accessible later, and they increase
your chance of survival if you must abandon the boat. Try to
position the boat so that the wind blows the fire away from
the boat. Meanwhile, radio or call for help, and use your
visual distress signals. If it's safe and possible to do so, use
your extinguisher to fight the fire using the PASS method:

Fires

Fires on board can be terrifying, can do a lot of damage to
your boat, and most important, can be deadly. The best way
to fight a fire is to prevent it from happening in the first place.
Check your fuel lines, clamps, and the tank itself for leaks.
Observe safe fueling practices. Place portable tanks ashore
when filling. Run the blower before starting your engine,
and use your nose to sniff out fumes. Clean up fuel spills
immediately and leave the oily rags on shore. Practice good
housekeeping and keep your boat clean! Don't allowing
smoking near the fuel (or better yet ban all smoking on your
boat). Use extreme caution if you cook on board.

	Pull the safety pin,
	Aim the nozzle at the base of the flames,
	Squeeze the handle in short (½ second) bursts, and
	Sweep the nozzle from side to side.
If the fire is out of control, abandon the boat. Get clear of the
fire, but stay in the vicinity as it will help rescuers locate you.

Types of Fires
Class A fires are fires of organic materials that leave an

ash, like wood, paper, cloth, fiber rope, etc. You can fight this
type of fire using any type of extinguisher. Always follow up
by dousing the burning material with water to prevent reignition.

Class B fires are burning liquids, like fuel and oil, and

generally occur in the bilge. Carbon dioxide or dry chemical
extinguishers work best on these fires. You should never
use water; dousing a class B fire with water will spread the
fire rather than extinguish it.

Class C fires carry a current; they happen when live,
energized electrical wiring or equipment ignites. Using a
carbon dioxide extinguisher is best, as it will cause the least
damage to the energized electrical gear. Dry chemical is
effective for extinguishing these fires, but leaves a residue.
You should never use water around electrical equipment;
it will conduct electricity and can electrocute you and your
passengers.

Capsizing and Falling Overboard

Approximately 75% of all boating deaths are the result of a
boat capsizing or someone falling overboard. In almost all of
these cases, that person's life may have been saved if only
he or she were wearing a PFD. When the water is cold, a
PFD is often the only chance you'll have for survival because
the shock of the cold water makes swimming or holding your
head up above the surface very difficult.

Fire Extinguishers
Fire extinguishers pose the
first, and sometimes only,
line of defense against fires
on most recreational boats.
As discussed earlier, you
must carry a fire extinguisher
as required by law, and
carrying more than one
so that you have a spare
extinguisher is always a wise
decision. Make sure your
equipment is in working
order and maintained according to the manufacturer's
instructions. Check your extinguishers frequently to ensure
they carry a full charge and that the nozzle is clear of debris.
Mount fire extinguishers in a readily accessible location,
ideally near the operator.

Overloading your boat may lead to capsizing. Adhere to
the limits on your boat's capacity plate, and use common
sense. The risk of capsize increases when the weather is
rough or the current is hazardous, so be particularly cautious
in difficult conditions. You also increase the risk of capsizing
if you allow passengers to move around while underway, or
permit someone to ride on the bow or gunwale. That can
shift the weight of your boat off center, especially if you have
a smaller boat. Also, avoid sharp turns at high speeds which
can throw a person out of a boat.
DON'T EVER STAND UP IN SMALL BOAT!
MAINTAIN THREE POINTS OF CONTACT WITH THE BOAT.
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New York Safe Boating - 2020

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