EMERGENCIES 12


General guidelines ■ Aim extinguishers towards the base of the fire.


■ It’s better to splash or spray water than it is to throw it on as a deluge. Spraying increases the cooling effect. However, a bucketful is much better than nothing. Remember: not on oil or electrical fires!


■ If possible, turn the boat downwind. This reduces the apparent wind speed and thereby the fanning effect. It also means the flames will be blown forward, away from the cockpit from where you might have to abandon ship.


■ Don’t hesitate to put out a PAN PAN or MAYDAY call. The Search and Rescue (SAR) services would much prefer to know about your problem early. They can always be stood down if the fire is successfully extinguished.


ABANDONING SHIP


It is sometimes said that the time to abandon ship is when you have to step upwards into the liferaft. This isn’t literally true of course, but is a light-hearted way of saying that your boat is where you are safest and you should stay with her until you are absolutely sure it’s time to leave. Certainly lives have been lost through abandoning ship too soon. Unmanned boats have been found afloat with the crew and liferaft lost.


Of course, the exception to this admittedly simplistic advice is a fire you can’t contain. Since liferafts can easily be damaged by the flames, it’s sensible to admit defeat in good time and put yourself at a safe distance from the inferno. But liferafts are not the only option.


Jump and swim


If other boats have come to your aid they would be foolish to come alongside if you are on fire. However, if they are in close attendance it would be entirely practical for your crew to slip on lifejackets and jump overboard. Choose the windward side to avoid your boat being blown down onto you.


Take to the dinghy Few angling boats have dinghies but, if one is available, in reasonable conditions this is often the best choice since dinghies are manoeuvrable and liferafts aren’t. You may even be able to make your way safely ashore.


Beaching


If the weather and the nature of the coast allows, driving the boat up onto a beach and scrambling ashore might be the best decision. But be very wary if there’s a stiff onshore wind. What might seem like harmless waves offshore can become dangerous surf as you approach the shallows. Don’t forget to wear lifejackets.


RYA Seamanship for Sea Anglers 91


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