A fire onboard poses a very serious threat to the vessel and the crew. There is no municipal fire service to call upon and there is no escape from the consequences of the fire. For this reason it is imperative that every precaution is taken to prevent a fire from starting and that the crew are well trained and practiced in fire fighting. To this end the following should be considered:

1. The training of the crew in fire fighting and the holding of regular drills.
2. The regular testing and maintenance of fire fighting appliances, equipment, fire mains and pumps.
3. The monitoring and enforcing of the regulations for the carrying of dangerous or highly flammable substances.
4. The promulgation and enforcing of rules regarding smoking and smoking areas.
5. Regular rounds of compartments, especially those that are not normally or regularly manned.

Fire fighting equipment. The following are examples of fire fighting equipment is used onboard ships:

Whilst every precaution can be taken to prevent a fire one must always be prepared to combat a fire when they occur. In order to control a fire at sea the following needs to be established:

1. The location of the fire.
2. The nature of the fire, ie solid fuel, liquid or electrical.
3. The contents of the surrounding compartments.
4. What fire fighting facilities are available.
5. The state of the weather and the direction of the wind.
6. The ventilation to the compartments affected.

The following action should be taken when a fire is discovered onboard:

1. The person discovering the fire should raise the alarm immediately.
2. If the fire is small enough, he or she should try and put it out with the nearest suitable appliance.
3. If he/she is unsuccessful, he/she should attempt to close the compartment to cut off the oxygen supply to the fire.
4. When the fire is reported to the bridge, the fire alarm should be activated and the crew informed via the ship’s broadcast system of the emergency.
5. At the same time the captain should be informed.
6. Mechanical ventilation to the affected compartments should be shut down.
7. Electricity to the affected compartments should be cut off to prevent the fire fighters from being electrocuted.
8. The vessel should be either stopped or manoeuvred to get the fire onto the lee side.
9. The fire main water pressure should be boosted to maximum and the emergency fire pump started.
10. The surrounding compartments must be monitored and the connecting bulkheads/decks/deck heads sprayed with cooling water to prevent the fire from spreading.
11. An URGENCY signal (PAN PAN x3) should be sent informing shore authorities and other ships in the area of the situation onboard. If the situation deteriorates, a DISTRESS signal (MAYDAY x 3) may have to be sent. If the situation is brought under control, the messages must be cancelled.
12. Further action will depend on the situation.
13. Last but not least, action should be taken to pump the water used to fight the fire overboard, otherwise the vessel’s stability could be adversely affected.