Emergency Procedures - Axis Wake Research Owner's Manual

Boating Safety

Emergency Procedures

In an emergency situation, you may have to resort to measures which are not commonly
practiced. Always assess the dangers of being in harm's way versus the protection of
equipment. Keep a sound mind during an emergency and always use common sense.
Explosion and Fire
Many boat fires and explosions involve flammable liquids such as gas or oil, which are
used in your boat's propulsion engine(s) and generator. Carefully follow all warning
labels and safety precautions while handling flammable substances. Many fires in
inboard boats start in the bilge area due to gasoline vapors. Gasoline vapors are heavier
than air and collect in the bilge of boats.
Explosion
• If explosion is imminent, put on PFDs, grab distress signals and survival gear,
and immediately abandon ship.
Fire
• Immediately turn off engines, generators, stoves and blowers.
• Extinguish smoking materials.
• A fixed fire suppression system, if equipped, has heat sensors that automatically
flood the machinery space with a fire extinguishant. Allow extinguishant to
"soak" the compartment for at least 15 minutes to cool the hot metals or fuel
before cautiously inspecting the fire area. Have portable fire extinguishers ready.
Do not breathe fumes or vapors caused by the fire or extinguishant.
• If no fixed fire suppression system is installed and a fire is in the engine
compartment, discharge portable fire extinguishers through the engine
compartment access plate, if equipped. DO NOT open the engine hatch as this
feeds oxygen to the fire.
• If you have access to the fire, direct the contents of the fire extinguishers at the
base of flames, not at the top.
• Throw burning materials overboard if possible.
• Move anyone not needed for firefighting operations away from the flames.
• Signal for help.
• Put on PFDs (Personal Flotation Devices), grab distress signals and survival
gear, and prepare to abandon ship.
WARNING
Burn hazard from gasoline floating on water which is ignited
can cause death or serious injury.
!
Gasoline will float on top of water and can burn. If the boat is
abandoned, swim upwind, far enough to avoid fuel that can
spread over the surface of the water.
1-53