If there's a fire at a marina, odds are it started on a single boat. The most likely causes? An electrical malfunction, a portable heater run amok, a galley fire or a fire related to owner carelessness – improperly stored flammable materials, for instance, or a carelessly discarded cigarette.
It's easy to see why fire prevention measures for boat owners play an important part in reducing the number of marina fires. Here are a few to get you started:
Start by ensuring you have a U.S. Coast Guard-approved fire extinguisher on your boat and fully functional smoke alarms. The fire extinguisher should be permanently positioned near an exit point for easy access as you head away from the fire and toward the exit.
You want to be at a marina that is equipped to handle a fire, too, with fire extinguishers on hand, clutter-free docks, and a generally well-maintained appearance. If your marina doesn't meet these basic standards, consider relocating to one that does.
Having an escape plan in place is important, but a plan is not sufficient in and of itself. You need a trial run, so hold a yearly fire drill.
Check out your boat's cord sets and power connections. What you're looking for are Underwriter's Laboratory (UL) cord sets that are marine grade. If cord sets exhibit signs of wear or scorching, don't use them. Make sure, too, that no cord set is overloaded. Faulty cord sets are a common cause of onboard fires, so err on the side of caution, here, replacing cord sets immediately if you notice a problem – and on a regular basis, even if you don't.
Shore power connections are something else you want to monitor carefully. As with cord sets, you don't want to hook up if you notice wear or burning.
Never leave any electrical equipment operating when you are away from the boat.
Maintain electrical systems and inspect them, or have them inspected, on a regular basis.
Maintain the fuel system and inspect it, or have it inspected on a regular basis.
Until such time as you can dispose of oily rags ashore, keep them in an airtight metal container.
- Linda Hoff
