| A fishing boat out of Shetland recently had to put in to | | | | who can tackle the blaze immediately. The conditions |
| port again after a fire broke out in the engine room of | | | | at sea are often harsh and it is not always advisable |
| the vessel whilst at sea on a fishing trip. It managed to | | | | to go over board as the ice temperatures can take a |
| return safely to its home port despite the damage | | | | human life within minutes. |
| caused by the blaze on board the boat. The crew of | | | | Boats need to have a variety of safety measures in |
| three put out a mayday call at around 10pm in the | | | | place and depending upon the size of the vessel these |
| evening whilst being around forty miles out to sea | | | | can range from simply having extinguishers onboard to |
| north east of Lerwick. | | | | full blown fire alarm systems and gas suppression |
| A lifeboat from Lerwick was immediately dispatched | | | | units. |
| to the scene of the emergency as well as a rescue | | | | The majority of boats have automatic fire |
| helicopter from Sumburgh. Thankfully when they | | | | extinguishers fitted in the engine blocks so if a fire |
| arrived at the scene of the fire on the boat the crew | | | | breaks out it can be extinguished quickly. These |
| had managed to fight the blaze and bring it under | | | | models come in powder or FE-36 variants and range |
| control. None of the crew was injured during the fire. | | | | in size from 1kg upwards depending upon the size of |
| In the space of two days this happened to be the | | | | the area they need to protect. They offer a very |
| second on board fire after a Norwegian vessel caught | | | | good first line of defence. A larger boat may have a |
| alight in the same area, requiring emergency crews to | | | | full alarm system with gas suppression tanks that can |
| attend. | | | | completely flood an engine room and tackle a fire. |
| Thanks to good fire safety training and the correct | | | | Throughout the vessels fire extinguishers are placed. |
| response by the skippers of the fishing boats two | | | | These are often a mix of CO2 to fight electrical |
| major catastrophes at sea were averted. They | | | | hazards, Foam or water for Class A fires and often |
| immediately reported the fires to the coast guard and | | | | wet chemical to cover class F fires involving cooking |
| thus ensured the safety of the crews on board each | | | | fats in the ships galleys. Fire blankets are also installed |
| ship. | | | | in the kitchen areas for added protection. |
| A fire on board a ship at sea is potentially one of the | | | | Crews are trained in the use of extinguishers and |
| worst places such an event can take place. This is | | | | know that in the event of a fire they must tackle it |
| due to the fact that a vessel is alone at sea and | | | | quickly and efficiently in order to prevent damage to |
| emergency services cannot normally arrive on the | | | | the boat that may cause it to sink. Coast guards |
| scene to give aid quickly in the same manner that the | | | | should be radioed immediately and flares fired in order |
| fire brigade can on dry land. Because of this stringent | | | | to alert the authorities. |
| fire safety measures need to be put in place to help | | | | Commercial fishing is one of the most dangerous jobs |
| reduce the risk of damage and loss of life. | | | | in the world, train hard for fire safety and don't make it |
| If a fire happens to break out whilst at sea then the | | | | any harder. |
| only way to combat it is by having a well trained crew | | | | |