Fire and Extinguishers

The number and type of fire extinguishers are determined by the boat size and whether or not your boat has a "fixed extinguishing system". Check the regulations and make sure that you are in compliance.
Although not required by law, a portable fire extinguisher should be mounted in an approved bracket, and the bracket mounted to the boat. Mount the extinguishers where they are readily accessible, but not immediately in the area where fires are likely to occur.

If you have a fire, try and put the boat into an orientation that will place the fire downwind. If the fire is in the aft, put the bow into the wind.

Check the nozzles on your fire extinguishers periodically. Spiders like to build entire communities in there. A strong web can divert or even block the agent from coming through the nozzle, which is an unacceptable condition if your boat is on fire. A pencil point, stick or other pointy object will remove the web easily.


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