It may be hard to believe – but it is possible for a person to suffer burn injuries on boats even if you are surrounded by water. The problem is that the requirements for fire safety equipment on boats are nearly nonexistent while the many ways in which a fire can start or a person can receive a burn are varied and lengthy. For instance, if your boat has a galley you might experience a kitchen fire that could quickly spread to the rest of the vessel. Or in the case of a motor boat there may be a leak that could cause an explosion. Why there is even a great possibility for sunburns because the sun reflects of the water intensifying a person’s exposure and increasing the risks. Finally, some boats stow extra fuel – a definite fire hazard to be sure.
One study on boating and fires found that one major problem is that even if a fire extinguisher is on board – as it should be – there is no one who knows how to use it correctly. In addition, the confines of a boat make it challenging to put out a fire before the entire ship is consumed. Experts now believe that boat purchasers and boat owners should participate in some type of training that will give them the skills necessary to react effectively to a fire on a boat.
Don’t wait for legislators to require boat owners to get training on how to handle boat fires. Seek out advice and training on your own – before you take to the water.