Fire Aboard

Posted: Sunday, 02 September 2012 11:14AM

Passengers Escape Sailboat Fire Near Lummi Island

The above photo and story was from last weekend in north Puget Sound.  As you can see, this sailboat is a total loss.  Luckily all seven people aboard were rescued by another boater.  Notice that the fire has burnt through the deck where the standing rigging is secured and the mast and sails are now fallen into the water over the starboard quarter.

Appropriate questions to ask:
When was the last time you inspected your fire extinguisher(s)?  
Do you have more than one fire extinguisher?  
Do you actually know (have you practiced using) it (them)?  
Are they (is it) located strategically so that you can deal with a fire aboard?  
Do you have a propane stove?  
Do you have a propane alarm that "smells" propane fumes?  
Do you have a gasoline engine (inboard or outboard)?  
Do you have an alarm that "smells" gasoline fumes?  
Have you trained your crew regarding fire, fire extinguishers, "Mayday" calls on the two-way radio, and what to do if you must abandon ship?

I think that these folks were lucky that the fire happened when the water in the area was relatively warm now (toward the end of summer).  What happens if the same situation happened to your boat in mid-May or mid-October?  What if a rescuing boat was not close by to lend assistance and "pluck" everyone out of the water?

If you want to read the news story (it is fairly short), here's the link...  

http://kgmi.com/Passengers-Escape-Sailboat-Fire-Near-Lummi-Island/14138277