BURN NOTICE
Watching a boat catch fire and burn to the waterline is truly shocking. It happens so quickly, going from a small fire to all-consuming flames that billow thick smoke and turn solid fiberglass into ash in the blink of an eye.
FFiberglass, if you didn’t know, is flammable, and if the boat is full of fuel, a simple spark can lead to an explosive situation. Knowing this, what can you do to prevent boat fires in the first place?
Last December, I attended a webinar hosted by the American Boat and Yacht Council, where Jason Green of the New York Office of Fire Prevention and Control spoke about common causes of boat fires. While the content was aimed toward investigators and surveyors, I found it useful to recreational boaters. Between presentations like this and information from other experts, we have the knowledge to decrease the risk of fire. Here are common causes of boat fires, and ways to prevent them. ELECTRICAL By far, electrical issues cause the most fires on recreational boats, and accounted for almost 55 percent of all fires on both recreational and commercial boats. In his presentation, Green presented statistics from BoatU.S. based on cases from 2009 to 2013. On recreational boats, electrical problems accounted for over 40 percent of boat fires, with 32 percent caused by DC system issues and 9 percent from AC power. As we’ve learned from marine surveyors and other sources, a lot of these electrical issues stem from poor maintenance or shoddy DIY work. Chafed wiring, corroded or loose connections, or sloppy wiring harnesses can lead to wire exposure that could create a spark, short circuit or arc, or overheat conductors. Regularly examine your electrical connections in the engine compartment, behind the dash and throughout the boat.
See an issue? Don’t ever head to the autoparts store. Pretty much every expert agrees that substituting marine components with automotive ones on your boat is a bad idea. In his webinar, Green cited the example of using 10-gauge automotive-grade (SAE) wiring in place of the more expensive marine-grade (AWG) wiring. While both were the same gauge, the marine grade is made with more strands, making it more durable; it’s also more corrosion resistant and offers more robust insulation. Solving an overload problem by increasing the size of the fuses is another no-no.
Make sure your system has the proper fuses to prevent overload and running hot.
Also, in today’s world of endless electronic gadgets, is your boat’s electrical system up to the task? Adding too many pieces to your system could put a load on your wiring that it is unable to handle.
PROPULSION SYSTEM
Overheating engines is another source of marine fires. Keeping your engine on a regular maintenance schedule will help ensure it won’t overheat. For older engines, backfire events from carburetors with faulty or dirty flame arresters can cause fires. And don’t neglect components such as turbo chargers and exhaust manifolds, which can generate extreme heat. Again, skip the automotive store for any replacement parts on your boat. Also, don’t forget that your generator is an engine and subject to the same rules.
FUEL SYSTEM Fuel vapors represent one of the biggest fire culprits on boats, either from vapors trapped in compartments and not properly vented during refueling, or from leaky systems that allow fuel to collect into the bilge and other low points in the boat. Often those sparks or shorts from the electrical system cause fires when they ignite fuel vapors. After refueling, don’t forget to turn on the engine compartment blower and run it for at least four minutes before turning the ignition. Regularly inspect your fuel tank, fuel lines and all connections for signs of any wear and tear, and possible fuel leaks.