Why do boat fires happen?

by Transport Safety Victoria on 30 Jun 2017 Ski boats with inboard petrol powered engines are most vulnerable to fire risk. Older vessels in which electrical and automotive components have aged and become worn are also commonly involved in fire related incidents.

Converted car engines or non-marinised engines installed in boats create a higher risk of fire or explosion, particularly where owners may have attempted to modify their boat themselves or used unqualified technicians to do the work.

Boats that spend long periods of time out of the water need to be carefully checked for fire hazards before being used for the first time in the season.

Follow these tips in addition to the refuelling rules.

Tips to reduce your fire risk

1 - Service your engine and the rest of your vessel regularly
2 - Only use marine parts for your engine - they'll last longer in salt and sun
3 - Don't DIY on marine electrics – incorrectly installed electrical components are more likely to cause fire onboard your vessel
4 - Electrical work done on your vessel must be carried out by a reputable and qualified person
5 - Ventilate the engine compartment before starting the vessel
6 - Engine fires don't necessarily happen on the first start up – be vigilant throughout the day
7 - Make sure you have the right size and number of fire extinguishers on board, and keep any built-in automatic extinguishing systems serviced.

Read more about maintenance and fire prevention here.