Do you know how to use a boat fire extinguisher? A fire emergency onboard is NOT the time to figure out how to use your fire extinguisher for the first time. Here are some tips that just might save your boat. Or even your life.
Summary
In an emergency on board, it’s easy to get flustered. And a fire can spread in seconds. Be prepared.
First, ensure you have sufficient extinguishers on board. This may exceed the Coast Guard minimum. You want to have one in reach at all times.
Next, practice taking it down from the mounting bracket. Don’t just rely on your eyes to know you understand it.
Finally, know how your extinguishers work. You must pull the pin, aim the nozzle at the flames, squeeze the handle to spray, and sweep back and forth to cover the burning surface with foam.
Here are some final safety tips: Keep the exit at your back in case you need to evacuate. Keep an eye on the site for several hours to make sure the fire doesn’t reignite. And finally, keep them charged or replace as needed. For more details, listen to the full podcast or if you prefer to read, check out How to Use a Fire Extinguisher on a Boat.
Links:
Kidde Mariner 5 Fire Extinguisher (Amazon)
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Music: “Slow Down” by Yvette Craig
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Carolyn Shearlock has lived aboard full-time for 17 years, splitting her time between a Tayana 37 monohull and a Gemini 105 catamaran. She’s cruised over 14,000 miles, from Pacific Mexico and Central America to Florida and the Bahamas, gaining firsthand experience with the joys and challenges of life on the water.
Through The Boat Galley, Carolyn has helped thousands of people explore, prepare for, and enjoy life afloat. She shares her expertise as an instructor at Cruisers University, in leading boating publications, and through her bestselling book, The Boat Galley Cookbook. She is passionate about helping others embark on their liveaboard journey—making life on the water simpler, safer, and more enjoyable.
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