Fire Safety on Boats

Fire Safety on Boats UK — What You Need to Know

I have dealt with one real fire on a vessel. Hot oil left on an induction hob — it went up while we were present. Fire blanket over the pan, kept everything cool around it, did not touch it again for an hour. We were lucky we were there.

And I am genuinely frightened of electrical fires — particularly lithium batteries. That is not something you put out easily. More on that below.

Why Fire Is the Most Dangerous Emergency on a Boat

Fire at sea is completely different from fire on land. You cannot evacuate and call the fire brigade. You are enclosed, often miles from help, with flammable fuel on board and limited escape routes. The decision to fight or abandon ship is one of the most critical calls you will ever make — and you may have seconds to decide.

The STCW firefighting training I have completed made one thing very clear: think about fire before it happens. Know your equipment, know where it is, know how to use it.

Types of Fire and How to Tackle Them

Galley fires — the most common. Fire blanket first for pan fires. Never water on a fat fire — it causes a violent steam explosion. CO2 or dry powder for larger galley fires.

Engine room fires — serious and fast. Fixed CO2 suppression systems flood the space and starve the fire of oxygen. Use it immediately. Do not open the engine room door once a fire is established — you will feed it oxygen and risk a flashback.

Electrical fires — never water. CO2 or dry powder only. Isolate the electrical supply at the source if safe to do so. These fires can reignite if power remains connected.

Lithium battery fires — this genuinely concerns me, lithium banks are growing and growing. Lithium batteries can enter thermal runaway — a state where the battery generates its own heat and oxygen and will not stop burning. Standard extinguishers cannot put out a lithium fire, only cool the surrounding area. A lithium battery fire on a yacht can sink the vessel. If you have lithium systems on board, understand the risk, store them correctly, and know your abandon ship plan.

Fire Equipment You Should Have on Board

At minimum: one fire extinguisher per main area — cabin, galley, and accessible from the cockpit. Use the right type: CO2 for electrical and engine fires, dry powder for general use. Check pressure gauges regularly and service on the manufacturer’s schedule.

Fight or Abandon — The Decision That Matters Most

The general principle from STCW firefighting: if you cannot control a fire within the first 30 seconds of your attack, the priority shifts to abandoning ship. A fire on a vessel grows exponentially. What is manageable in minute one may be uncontrollable by minute three.

Have your grab bag, EPIRB, and liferaft accessible before you fight any fire. If you abandon, you abandon with everything you need.

FAQs

Are fire extinguishers legally required on recreational boats?
For vessels under 13.7 metres there is no specific statutory requirement but the MCA strongly recommends them and most marine insurers require them. For commercial vessels requirements are set out in the applicable MCA code of practice.

Can I use a household extinguisher on a boat?
Not recommended. Marine extinguishers are corrosion resistant and rated for marine fire types. Use the right tool.

What if I smell burning on board?
Stop, locate the source, and act immediately. A smell of burning on a vessel is never nothing.

Follow current MCA guidance on fire safety for your vessel type at gov.uk/mca.

The information in this article is for general guidance only and does not constitute professional safety advice. Always consult current MCA, SOLAS, and HSE official documentation and a qualified marine safety professional before making any safety-critical decisions. Product specifications and regulatory requirements change — always verify against current official sources before purchase. Where affiliate links appear on this site, they are clearly disclosed and never influence our recommendations. marinesafetyguide.com participates in affiliate programmes including Amazon Associates and the Awin network and may earn a small commission on purchases made through links on this site, at no extra cost to you.