Page 13 - Mid America Boating - July 2024 issue

Focus on Boating Safety from USCGA

TIP S A N D T A C TI C S
JULY 2024 [ MID-AMERICA BOATING ] 12
Prep to prevent fires onboard

By David G. Epstein, Branch Chief, staff or friends) know you are out on the water.
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary You should include a description of the boat,
where you are going and how many people are
Most boat fires occur due to wire chafing or on on board. And tell them if you are not back on
older boats that lack proper preventive main- time to contact the U.S. Coast Guard or other
tenance, especially with fuel systems. While marine authority in case rescue is needed.
recreational boat fire occurrences may be
relatively low, those that do occur can cause Planning:
damage, injury, and loss of life. So, let’s make • Make sure you have fire extinguishers Preventive: Request a Vessel Safety Check:
sure that the chances of this happening to you onboard and ensure they are not expired and • Older boats are especially vulnerable to wire The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary conducts
on the water are minimized. ready to use. chafing and maintenance related issues that free vessel safety checks to ensure your boat
• You should understand where they are and could cause a fire. Make sure that your boat is is safe to go out and enjoy the water. Please
Preparation: how to use them. well maintained before going on the water. note that vessel safety checks are not available
• Before taking your boat on the water, ensure • Tell your passengers where they are too and • Have a US Coast Guard Auxiliary flotilla in all areas, but a virtual safety check may be
that the wiring is in tip top shape. explain how to use them. conduct a vessel safety check to ensure your an alternative. Contact the Auxiliary: http://
• Pay particular attention to wires leading to • Just like you would plan an escape route in boat is safe to go on the water, whether you wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=V-
the engine and any chafing. case of a home fire, make sure you know what have a new or older boat. DEPT&category=i-want-a-vsc to see what is
• Chafed wires should be replaced to do in case of a fire on your craft. And inform • Have life jackets for everyone on board and available in your area.
immediately. your passengers as well. wear it at all times.
• Keep bilges clean. • Have visual distress signals on board such • Have a throwable personal flotation device Take a Boating Safety Class:
• Make sure there’s proper ventilation and is as flares. on board. Boating safety classes, even if not available
working correctly. • Ensure your horn is working and have a • Make sure fire extinguishers are on board in-person, are also available online. Statistics
• If you are not an expert, have an experienced backup device such as a whistle. and operational. show that taking safe boating classes save
mechanic change the wires. • If there is a fire in the engine area, cut fuel to lives. More information is available here: www.
• Check the fuel systems are working properly. the engine. Doing these things (the three Ps) can help cgaux.org/boatinged
• Before inviting guests on the boat take it out • Do not use water on an electrical fire, make avoid a costly fire that causes damage to your And please remember, wear your life jacket
for a test run. sure you have the correct fire extinguisher boat or even a worse tragedy on the water. And at all times! MAB
• Have a marine first aid kit on board fully and sweep at the base of the fire if it is small always remember it is critically important that
stocked for the amount of people on board. enough and safe to do so. you and your passengers wear a life vest. David G. Epstein is an officer with the U.S. Coast
• Make sure you have a marine radio capable • Everyone on board should have life jackets To contact the US Coast Guard Auxiliary for Guard Auxiliary which is the uniformed Auxiliary
of contacting authorities for help. in case you have to abandon ship. a Vessel Safety Check (including a new virtual of Team Coast Guard. For more information,
• File a float plan so that others (the marina • Use your marine radio to call for help. option) please visit www.cgaux.org/vsc please visit www.cgaux.org