Fire Aboard!

Fire has to rank high on every boater's nightmare list.

You have to watch for potential fire hazards, have the right gear, plan what to do and practice.

And when all that fails, be ready to leave the boat.

Fire Onboard! What You Need to Know

Published on January 14, 2022; last updated on January 8, 2022 by Carolyn Shearlock

An engine fire could have been a fatal disaster. Here’s what we did right. And what you need to know. [More] Fire Onboard! What You Need to Know

One Careless Moment

Published on April 22, 2019; last updated on June 30, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock

One careless moment caused a boat fire. What happened, what we did wrong and what we did right. A chilling story of an almost-disaster. [More] One Careless Moment

Necessary Dinghy Safety Gear

Published on May 9, 2016; last updated on April 4, 2021 by Carolyn Shearlock

A list of 17 important pieces of dinghy safety gear to always have with you. Learn why you need each one of these aboard. [More] Necessary Dinghy Safety Gear

The Ditch Bag

Published on August 24, 2015; last updated on September 29, 2021 by Carolyn Shearlock

Detailed list of gear for a coastal cruising ditch bag, including reasons for every item and links to buy and/or learn more. [More] The Ditch Bag

3 Lessons from a Boat Fire

Published on February 24, 2014; last updated on December 31, 2021 by Carolyn Shearlock

Every boater’s worst nightmare: waking up to find your boat in flames. Three lessons from a near tragedy. [More] 3 Lessons from a Boat Fire

Fire Drill!

Published on September 21, 2013; last updated on June 12, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock

You practice other things on the boat — docking, MOB, heavy weather tactics — so why not have a fire drill (or two) and make sure everyone knows what to do? And when to just leave? [More] Fire Drill!

Don’t Burn the Dinghy!

Published on May 24, 2013; last updated on June 12, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock

Your dinghy is your car when you’re on the boat. You really don’t want to see it go up in flames because of a careless mistake! [More] Don’t Burn the Dinghy!

Why Have a Fire Blanket

Published on January 7, 2013; last updated on January 1, 2021 by Carolyn Shearlock

For many cooking fires, a fire blanket will do a better job of extinguishing it than a fire extinguisher, without the corrosive mess to clean up. [More] Why Have a Fire Blanket

Burning Trash

Published on January 2, 2013; last updated on June 12, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock

Many wonderful cruising areas don’t have much in the way of trash service. And so you have to do it yourself. Here are a few tips on responsibly burning what you can. [More] Burning Trash