At sea, it is impossible to call the fire brigade. Therefore it is essential to be equipped with one or more fire extinguishers to quickly resolve a fire outbreak and not risk major damage to your boat, or the risk of being damaged, sinking permanently. Before damage occurs, you must equip your boat with detection equipment (gas detectors, smoke detectors, etc.), fire-retardant equipment (fire blankets, axes, fire-retardant safety hoses, etc.). Then more specific equipment for extinction. A bucket can be used to sprinkle a class A fire (solid materials: cloth, cardboard, wood, paper, etc.). The only requirement is that it is at least 10L and provided with a long enough rope. to fill it from the rim of the pot quickly. Next, an ABC fire extinguisher (A> source of burning materials, such as wood, fabrics, paper, rubber, and plastic / B> source of burning liquids, such as gasoline, oil, and grease. / C> electric fire). Legally speaking, the most commonly required type of fire extinguisher on a pleasure craft is type 5A / 34B. You should also check that it is well equipped with warning signal equipment (VHF, flares, smoke, etc.)
A reminder of the regulations on fire safety on board.
Regulation according to motor:
For an outboard motor with a power greater than or equal to 120 kW (163 hp): You must have at least one type 5A / 34B fire extinguisher; this must be close and accessible to the skipper. It should be placed at least 1 m from the cockpit if the size of the boat is less than 10 m, otherwise less than 2 m 50.
For an onboard motor less than or equal to 120kW: a minimum 5A / 34B extinguisher is to be used through the extinguishing trap.
A boat with an inboard engine rated above 120 kW must be equipped with a fire extinguisher type 8A / 68B or fixed installation at least in accordance with division 322.
Regulations that exclude motorization:
If the boat has the equipment below, it must have adequate protective equipment to secure the saloon and cabins:
For a kitchen with appliances: a 5A / 34B extinguishing device either 1 kg of powder or a fire blanket
For an open-flame fireplace: an 8A / 68B fire extinguisher alone or a small extinguisher with a capacity of 5A / 34B (1 kg) accompanied by a fire blanket. Everything must be within 2M of the house; this safety equipment must be accessible at all times.
In the living space with a bed: One or more fire extinguishers with a capacity of 5 / A 34B to be accessible within 5M of the bunks.
Frame 2 electrical installation (AC voltage ≥ 50 V): 2KG 34B CO2 fire extinguisher
A reminder of the mandatory equipment in recreational boating:
Personal buoyancy equipment (EIF) per person onboard, Lighting device, Mobile fire extinguishing means, Manual drainage device, Towing device, Mooring line, Tidal directory, National flag (outside territorial waters), Device location and assistance for anyone in the water, 3 red hand-held signaling lights, Magnetic compass (or GPS on the coast), Official nautical charts, International regulations to avoid collisions at sea, Description of the beacon system, survival, Inventory equipment, Updated light book, Logbook, Device to receive meteorological reports, Harness and lanyard per boat for non-sailboats, Harness and lanyard per person onboard for sailboats, First aid kit, an Illuminated device for night search and location, emergency position indicator beacon, fixed VHF, portable VHF.
