Boat Fire - Marlow "Too Elusive"

A lot of boat fires lately. Economic recession confirmed.

https://www.myeasternshoremd.com/ke...cle_6edf00fc-e3a8-5d85-9f28-02a093fdfcd7.html

One went up in the Great Oak marina a week ago too.

Hey now. Somebody spent some time getting some info together and creating that news page.
Good job Trish McGee at Kent County News.

Glad nobody was hurt.
Gob Bless all fire fighters.

I am glad to read that nobody or dogies were hurt in all of these fire events.

I am glad also that we can access some of these articles to remind us; Lets Be Careful Out there.

Thanks for posting this. Good stuff.

I'm assuming as these are not CG approved, you've received some endorsement of these somewhere along the line ?

Easy to install to backup

Like the magnetic holder. A very convenient size to have available in locations where needed along with standard extinguishers. Good for the house too.
I've seen several boats burn to the water line, can't have too many extinguishers!

If you remember, I got into a disagreement with a past senior member about Halon sized bottles in the engine room, very long ago.
I suggested when in doubt, go for the larger sized auto bottle. The argument started there.

The idea of an agent to put out fires and NOT suffocate any humans in the area was the point.

I am still of the opinion that I would rather over size Halon or newer agents and trust the auto function to put fires out.
In an engine room fire bad enough to open an auto agent bottle is where I would not rather be anyway.

So, anyway, there is an ole Halon bottle in the coffin (sound box) with my large gen-set that auto stops the gen-set.
My small gen-set is not in a box but has a Halon bottle just inches away from the exhaust manifold and valve cover and auto stops that engine.
Two large bottles, each oversized for the whole engine room, hang over head. They can each shut down the main engines.

No, I'm not going into the engine room while this is going on.

On larger boats (ships) the argument was that humans still have to access the engine room while this is going on.
I don't think so....

I bring all the up and ponder; Is there enough fire suppressant on these fancy boats and yet they still burn till they sink???
Or not anybody brave enough to go below a fight a fire when it occurs??? As my opponent then would suggest.
.

If the fancy boat is made of FRP, the fire suppressant might initially snuff out the flames, but not cool the FRP, which will then reignite after the fire suppressant has been depleted. FRP is just hard to put out, and requires active firefighting.

Understood well.. You usually can not walk home from a boat fire.

Then when all folks are secured, and confident when you open that hatch or door that fresh O2 will not explode in your face, and a ship pile of equipment in your hands, Then you go in.

Was there time to evacuate and return to fight the flame if possible? <--- My Point..

In any news, report, follow up, or even FB, has anybody stood to a flame?

The usual line, some smoke and all baled. Probably the fastest and safest way but no real firefighting has been reported.

When that suppressant has bought you some time, are you walking the dock, wading in the water or preparing to fight a fire?
I like LOTS of suppressant.

So, back to my point,, any suppressant working on these tubs? How much time did it give all to evacuate?
Was any time left to fight the fire or was ALL on the dock on in the water???

What was expected of the MFG??
What was expected of the owner?
What was expected of any crew?

On real boats, you go to fire school.
Where or what level should this start fire school? Good ole red-neck boating?? 100 GT? 12Pax?? 1 Meg dollar??

Hey, I agree. Who wants to go in the engine room when there is a fire or right after the auto suppression system was actuated? Not me! Some e-r's have bad access, and some have hatches in the salon! Who wants to jump down there?

I still would want plenty of extinguishers at the access points to suppress a fire below deck. If nothing else to not be trapped inside the boat knowing it was on fire. The extinguisher's Pascal posted look perfect for placing at locations as he did.

The four boats I've seen burn and sink, two were inboard gas burners, two were diesel. All were fiberglass.
Not good odds!

May I ask, were these properly maintained boats with somewhat non suicide / homicide minded people on board.

As long as I have skirted some issues, Let me break some more glass.
Not going to talk about batteries, Done that already.

But the rest of stupid people tricks;
Candles on board??
Curling irons??
Buba installed propane/LPG??
Strange galley fires??
DIY home sparky adding new Romex cables??
Auto parts on a marine gas engine??
All real events..

Yes, sometimes a real accident comes up but really, only so many turbo fires can happen in one week..