Fire Safe
Fire safety is something that everyone who owns or operates a boat should
practice. Each year, boating fires and explosions injure hundreds of individuals and cause
millions of dollars in property damage. While there is a greater chance for a fire or
explosion on a boat than on land, the risk is real and many of these incidents can be prevented.
Hydrogen gas from batteries and fuel vapours are two of the leading ingredients in all boating accidents involving fires and explosions. Keep fuel and vapours in their proper place and make all of your boating trips firesafe.
In General or Seasonal
Be alert for damage to your boat's fuel system. Over time fuel fittings and fuel hoses
wear out. Inspect these fittings and hoses regularly, especially near the engine where
engine heat and vibration can accelerate deterioration.
 | Inspect fuel tanks annually. Pay particular attention to bottom surfaces which may have been in contact with bilge water. Also check to see if any part of the tank could have rusted or been damaged due to rubbing and abrasion. Permanently installed fuel tanks and closed compartments that contain engine or fuel tanks must be vented to the outside. |
| Be sure the fuel fill pipe is securely mounted, grounded, and located where spilled fuel would be directed overboard. Fuel fill hoses that are dry and cracked or soft and mushy should be replaced immediately. |
| If a hose or fuel tank is leaking, replace it before using your boat. |
| Use only marine-rated parts for repairs. |
| On a boat with portable fuel tanks, make sure the vents can be closed and the tanks have a vapor-tight, leak-proof cap. The vent on a portable tank should be open when the motor is running, but when the tank is not in use, the vent and the cap should be tightly closed. |
| Make sure any powered ventilation (a bilge blower) is operating properly. |
| Be sure heating and cooking appliances on board are secured and operate properly. Refer to the appliance owner's manual for guidance on inspecting for leaks in valves and connections; NEVER USE A MATCH. |
| Make sure flammable items are stowed safely and cannot come into contact with cooking or heating appliances or hot engine parts. |
| Make sure fire extinguishers are serviced, fully charged and in working order - that gauges register and nozzles are clear. Take a boating safety course and learn the correct use of a fire extinguisher aboard a boat. |
| Repair all bare wires and loose electrical connections; they might cause a short in your boat's electrical system, which could start a fire. |
| Do not store disposable propane cylinders or charcoal lighting fluid on board. |
| Conduct a bow to stern inspection checking for fuel leaks. |
Motor Maintenance:
Your motor is
(waiting for the construction crew to get back from fishing
trip...)