Module 4 - Safety
Fire Safety
What you will learn
Prevent common onboard fires and lead an alarm-isolate-escape decision using an extinguishing medium suited to the burning material.
The first fire-fighting decision is whether the fire can be attacked without losing the escape route. Raise the alarm and protect people before trying to save the yacht.
Prevention starts with maintained fuel and electrical systems, clean bilges, correctly installed gas equipment, secured flammable liquids and cooking that is never left unattended. Fire extinguishers must be visible and accessible from an escape route; keep a suitable fire blanket close to cooking facilities without placing it beyond the likely fire.
The fire triangle is a decision model: sustained fire needs fuel, heat and oxygen. Safely shutting off gas or fuel removes the fuel supply; cooling removes heat; closing a space or stopping ventilation can reduce oxygen. None of these actions is worth trapping a crew member or feeding the fire by opening the wrong hatch.
Use an extinguishing medium rated for the burning material. Water is for suitable Class A solid-material fires and must not be used on liquid, gas or electrical fires. Dry powder can cover several classes but creates residue, reduces visibility and can affect breathing. CO2 can work on some small Class B and live-electrical fires, but it disperses in the open and can create an asphyxiating atmosphere in a confined space. A fire blanket can control a small pan or cooking-oil fire when it can be applied from the escape side.
On discovering fire, shout the alarm, account for the crew and keep the escape route behind you. Stop engines, fuel, gas, electrical supply or ventilation only where safe and appropriate; attack with the correct equipment from a protected position. Send the distress alert early if people or vessel are in grave and imminent danger, and prepare to abandon if control is doubtful.
| Control | Useful when | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel shut-off | The supply can be reached safely | Do not pass the fire or delay escape |
| Water | Suitable Class A solid material | Never liquid, gas or electrical fires |
| Dry powder | A correctly rated multi-class extinguisher | Visibility, breathing and residue hazards |
| CO2 | Some small Class B or live-electrical fires | Dispersal and confined-space asphyxiation hazards |
| Fire blanket | A small cooking pan or clothing fire | Apply from the escape side without leaning into flame |
Respond without sacrificing the escape route
A small flame appears at the galley cooker. The gas shut-off is reachable without passing the fire and a fire blanket is beside the companionway.
1. Alarm
Call out, account for the crew and keep the companionway clear.
2. Isolate
If it remains safe, shut off the gas and avoid opening or ventilating a space in a way that feeds the fire.
3. Control or leave
Use the suitable blanket or extinguisher from the escape side; withdraw, call MAYDAY and prepare to abandon if control is doubtful.
Sense check: If reaching the shut-off or extinguisher means passing the fire, or smoke and heat are increasing, the attack plan has failed its safety check.
Common mistake or limitation
- Water can spread burning liquid and create an electrical hazard; the extinguishing medium must match the actual fire.
- Opening an engine-space hatch can admit oxygen and produce a flare-up; use the yacht's designed fixed or access-limited procedure.
- An extinguisher mounted beside the likely fire may be unreachable. Equipment must be accessible from a protected escape route.
Recap
- Prevent fire through maintenance, safe stowage, gas discipline and attended cooking.
- Raise the alarm and preserve escape before isolating supplies or attacking with a correctly rated medium.
- Withdraw and send a distress alert early when the fire cannot be controlled without unacceptable risk.
Optional quick check
Section 5 of 14
A small gas-fed galley fire has started and the shut-off is safely reachable. What is the best first control action after raising the alarm?
Sources and factual review
Reviewed 2 September 2026 - Compass Revision editorial review.
Continue studying Safety
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