If you’re out on the water and your boat motor catches fire, don’t panic! This blog article provides advice on what to do in this situation. It also includes some useful information about the prevention of boat fires.
What are the signs of a boat motor fire?
When out on the water, it’s important to be aware of the signs that a boat motor may be on fire What should you do immediately if a boat motor catches fire? Here are five key warning signs:
The boat becomes very difficult to control.
Smoke and flames are coming from the engine.
The engine makes unusual noises or is making an intense noise.
The boat is leaning dangerously over to one side.
What should you do if your boat motor catches fire while you’re on the water?
If your boat motor catches fire while you’re on the water, the best thing to do is to get as far away from the boat as possible. If you can’t get away, try to put out the fire with a fire extinguisher. If that doesn’t work, call for help.
How to put out a boat motor fire without getting wet
If your boat’s engine starts up and then quickly shuts down, it might be because of a fire. Here are steps you can take to put out the fire without getting wet:
Turn off the engine by removing the key from the ignition. Open any watertight doors or hatches and remove any obstructions that could cause the flames to spread. If there is fuel nearby, pour it overboard using a bucket, pump bottle or hose. Place a large piece of wood on top of the engine and set a heavy object on top of that. Turn off all water sources to the area. Let the wood burn until it is fully ablaze. Use a bucket of water to douse the burning wood. Once it is extinguished, use a shovel to bury it in sand or soil so that it does not reignite
Conclusion
When you’re out on the water and your boat motor starts sputtering and coughing, there are a few things you can do to put out the fire. First, turn off the engine as quickly as possible. This will stop the flow of fuel to the engine and hopefully extinguish any flames that may have started. If the flame is still coming from the engine, you’ll need to use a fire extinguisher. Be sure to aim it at the base of the burning area so that it can douse all of the flames at once.
Aside from the obvious
If your boat motor starts smoking or burning, there are a few steps you can take to put out the fire. If the fire is small, you can use a garden hose to douse it. If the fire is larger, you will need to use a fire extinguisher. The following steps will help you put out a small engine fire:
- Shut off the power to the engine by turning off the fuel and ignition lines.
- Drain any fuel that may be in the engine by using a turkey baster or siphon. Be sure to remove all of the old gas from around the spark plugs and carburetor because this can make putting out a fire more difficult.
- If there is still fuel in the engine, pour water into the carburetor until it starts boiling, and then turns on the ignition line to start a flame inside the carburetor (be careful not to set anything else on fire). Once you see flames coming out of the carburetor turn off the ignition line.
- Use an extinguisher to put out any remaining flames. Be sure to read instructions carefully before using an extinguisher so you don’t damage your boat or yourself
