Divergent Yachting Divergent Yachting Divergent Yachting Divergent Yachting
  • About
  • Our Team
  • Yacht Management
  • New Construction
    • Services
    • Projects
    • Technical Services
    • The Process
  • Yacht Finders
  • Reviews
  • News
  • Contact
Divergent Yachting Divergent Yachting
  • About
  • Our Team
  • Yacht Management
  • New Construction
    • Services
    • Projects
    • Technical Services
    • The Process
  • Yacht Finders
  • Reviews
  • News
  • Contact
Aug 14

Yacht fire safety awareness advice whilst docked in a Marina

In the past year, several high-value yachts have caught fire while docked inside a marina. Fortunately, so far, no casualties have been reported. However, some of the yachts were either a complete loss or suffered thousands of Euros in damages.

When any yacht catches fire inside a marina there is a very high risk that the fire will spread rapidly to adjacent yachts. Therefore, fire safety awareness and the mindfulness of crew on board should not only be limited to their own yacht but also to surrounding yachts while docked inside a marina.

What are the risks?

During the winter season most yachts will scale down in crew size or some yacht owners will decide to leave their yacht in the marina without crew. This reduction in manning level should always be carried out in conjunction and with the approval of the vessel’s certifying authority. Yachts docked without any crew on board are left without any regular fire safety watch. In addition, some of the older and smaller yachts might not have automatic fire suppression systems (e.g. high fog, FM-200, Novec) and therefore are at high risk of catching fire.

Causes of yacht fires can come from numerous places, some of the major causes include:

  • Defective or overloaded electrical wires/circuits equipment
  • Burning cigarettes
  • Defective fuel/gas fired boilers-heaters
  • Leaking fuel or gas lines
  • Overloaded laundry dryers
  • Hot surfaces like portable electrical heaters, halogen lamps, cooking equipment, laundry irons in combination with flammable, combustible or explosive materials, liquids or oily rags
  • Collection of ‘Lint’ in tumble dryer vents/filters
  • Spontaneous combustion from discarded oily rags
  • Arson
  • Hot curling tongs placed on carpets and left

Recommended Precautions

Detailed below are some recommended practical precautions that owners, managers and crew should follow to prevent fires:

  • Crew members or an external care taker should keep a regular fire safety watch on board.
  • Keep an eye on surrounding yachts for any signs of smoke or fire.
  • No smoking should take place inside the yacht. A dedicated smoking area should be set up outside of accommodation for those who need it. When in port smokers should smoke in a designated area on the dock.
  • Follow safe fuel oil bunkering procedures.
  • Regular visual inspections and maintenance of electrical wires and equipment, lighting systems, galley and laundry equipment, fuel and gas systems and auxiliary machinery should take place.
  • All electrical circuits should have protection against overload and short circuit.
  • All outboard electrical switches, wires and fuses should be protected from rain or water spray.
  • Charging lead-acid batteries must be stored inside well ventilated areas and protected from accidental arcing and explosive gases.
  • After use, close off and properly store all flammable liquids (e.g. paint, thinner, chemicals) inside ventilated lockers, preferably outside of living spaces.
  • Turn off all electrical, oil or gas appliances after use (e.g. galley, laundry).
  • Always keep engine rooms, engine room bilges, machinery spaces and galleys clean.
  • Regular inspection and maintenance of fire detection systems (smoke, heat detectors) should take place.

Preparing to respond in an emergency

Yacht owners, managers and crew should always be prepared to respond adequately to fires while docked in a marina;

  • Have contact details at hand of local emergency services, the marina manager, dock master, yacht manager/owner.
  • Have a sufficient quantity of portable fire extinguishers on board, in accordance with flag/class requirements.
  • Regular inspection and maintenance of all portable and/or fixed firefighting equipment and systems, as per flag/class, requirements should take place.
  • Conduct regular in-port crew fire drills.
  • Always have sufficient crew members on board while docked in a marina; for large yachts, it is recommended to have sufficient crew on board to fight a fire, or to cast off and sail out of the marina when an adjacent yacht is on fire.

Written by Divergent Yachting Head of Compliance David Goldie

Email David here if you have an questions

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • E-Mail

Comments are closed.

Recent Posts

  • Why your yacht needs a DPA (Designated Person Ashore)
  • Porto Montenegro – one of the best locations for any superyacht
  • The first Internal ISPS & MLC Audit of 2022 by Divergent Yachting
  • Must visit yacht & boat shows 2022
  • Yare Networking 2021 Review

Categories

  • Events
  • Feature
  • Projects
  • Uncategorized

Contact Us

Lymington Suite A, Ashurst Lodge,
Ashurst, Southampton,
SO40 7AA. United Kingdom

+44 (0)2380 28 28 20
www.divergentyachting.com
 diverge@divergentyachting.com
 derek@divergentyachting.com

@divergentyachting

Client Privacy Notice

Recent Posts

  • Why your yacht needs a DPA (Designated Person Ashore)
  • Porto Montenegro – one of the best locations for any superyacht
  • The first Internal ISPS & MLC Audit of 2022 by Divergent Yachting

Instagram

Great to see so many teams for a number of countri Great to see so many teams for a number of countries showcasing and competing in the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge. Solar cell output has increased significantly since Black Pearl research days but the bonding and encasing is similar.
These boats can get up to 50 knots foiling with great cruising speeds off the foils. 
Battery tech is similar to BP although already smaller with greater capacity.
Bring on the next generation! 🙌

#oceanco #yachtclubdemonaco #solar #newtechnology #superyachtindustry #greenenergy #yachts #newgeneration #newdevelopments
Our team at Divergent Yachting wish you all a wond Our team at Divergent Yachting wish you all a wonderful Queen's Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend👑🇬🇧

#jubileecelebrations #bankholiday #queenofengland
We are excited to be featured in the very 1st edit We are excited to be featured in the very 1st edition of the new, annual publication of Superyacht Knowledge. This publication is a "Boatshow in a Magazine" and we hope you enjoy the read as much as we have. 

#superyachtworld #superyachtknowledge #inprint
It was an early start again this morning for Team It was an early start again this morning for Team Divergent who set off for Europe. See you soon 👋

#superyachtworld #nextadventure #outofoffice
Divergent Yachting are on the water today for the Divergent Yachting are on the water today for the Superyacht Yacht Design Challenge Regatta in the Solent ☀️
It's going to be a fun race against our friends from @dohle_yachts @superyachtcharities @prop.l_ltd @rwd__design @lateral_eng @marellacruises @pussersrum all to raise money for Superyacht Charities 

Hosted by Avro Yachting and @britanniaevents
In support of @superyachtcharities

#charityrace #superyachtworld
#sailing #thesolent #winningteam
Thank you Superyacht Investor London 2022 for an i Thank you Superyacht Investor London 2022 for an interesting couple of days. 
We look forward to seeing what happens next! 

#SYILondon2022 #superyachts #sustainability #cybersecurity #marineindustry #connectivity #yachtingindustry
Follow on Instagram
© divergentyachts.com | Design by thirtyc.com
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT