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Kids can keep your
boat afloat

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As any grammar school kid knows, this is Fire Prevention Week. And if you're a parent of one of those kids, you know it's time for their annual sweep of your household for fire hazards.

For decades, teaching our children about fire prevention and promoting those home inspections has been one of the fire department's best weapons in preventing house fires.

In fact, they have been so successful, I've often thought a similar program should be aimed at boat owners.

Somehow parents always seem to listen to and take action on suggestions from their "Junior Firefighters" better than from some unknown officials.

So, similarly, boat owners might have a hard time ignoring it when their children climb aboard with an inspection checklist and point out a few fire-safety deficiencies.

For any boat owner's child reading this column (or the owner for that matter) who would like to make such an inspection, such a simple checklist might look something like this:

» Inspect fuel tanks for corrosion or physical damage.

» Determine fuel filler pipes have proper grounding.

» Determine fuel filler cap has vapor-tight seal.

» Inspect all fuel hoses for signs of deterioration: dry and cracked, or soft and mushy.

» Determine all fuel lines and fittings are marine-rated.

» Inspect the bilge for spilled or leaking fuel.

» Determine the bilge blowers or other ventilation systems are operating properly.

» Inspect the heating and cooking appliances for proper operation and determine they are secured properly.

» Determine the vessel has the proper number of Coast Guard-approved fire extinguishers and they are in working order and mounted for easy access.

» Inspect for bare electrical wires and loose electrical connections.

» Inspect for overloaded electrical circuits or improper use of extension cords.

» Determine all flammable liquids and gases are properly stowed.

According to the Coast Guard, boat fires and explosions injure hundreds of people and cause millions of dollars in property damage every year, and yet, many of these accidents could have been prevented by an inspection like this and a few other practical procedures.

Whenever possible, remove portable tanks from the boat before refueling and always keep the metal nozzle in contact with the tank filler.

Remember, fuel vapors are heavier than air, so get into the habit of sniffing your bilges and operating your bilge blower for at least 4 minutes before starting an inboard engine.

When you explain to guests where the life preservers are, make sure they know where the fire extinguishers are and how to use them.

Close all hatches and ports, and turn off all engines and motors while refueling. And, of course, don't smoke. After refueling, clean up any spilled fuel and open all hatches and ports to let the boat air out.

And finally, always have an action plan for dealing with a fire in any part of your boat, including knowing the best extinguishing agent for the material burning.

By using the fire prevention checklist and following the procedures above, a boater may never experience an onboard fire or explosion. And if any Junior Firefighters took part in an inspection, they can be sure they helped out in a very important event and I'd love to hear about it.

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See the Columnists section for some past articles.

Ray Pendleton is a free-lance writer based in Honolulu.
His column runs Saturdays in the Star-Bulletin.
He can be reached by e-mail at raypendleton@mac.com.