AFTER SMOKE WAS SPOTTED coming from a narrowboat at Mercia Marina, marina staff and boaters responded quickly.
Their actions saving the boat, calling the emergency services, fetching fire extinguishers, moving boats away from the affected vessel, keeping the entrance clear for approaching fire crews and directing them to the boat.
Quick and coordinated response
Staff tackled the fire using equipment from the marina's safety stations and, thanks to the quick and coordinated response, the fire was brought under control before the Fire & Rescue Service arrived. Most importantly, the boat was saved and the fire was prevented from spreading to neighbouring vessels, it being told:
"We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who helped. Whether you raised the alarm, fetched equipment, moved boats, assisted the emergency services or simply stepped in where needed, your actions made a genuine difference.
"The incident has also provided an opportunity to review our procedures. Following feedback from boaters, testing of every pontoon claxon will now form part of our monthly asset inspections.
"It was a powerful reminder of the importance of knowing where emergency equipment is located and reporting anything that doesn't appear to be working correctly. Above all, however, it demonstrated something we're very fortunate to have at Mercia: a community of people prepared to look out for one another."
Recap of steps to dealing with a boat fire
1. Get everyone off the boat (the mini extinguishers on boats are designed only for achieving safe exit from the boat, not for firefighting)
2. Alert neighbours by shouting and by using the klaxon
3. Call 999 giving details of the boat location as per the emergency card
4. If safe to do so turn off the gas bottles using individual gauges on each bottle (turning clockwise turns off!)
5. Unplug the boat at the electricity bollard or board
6. Do not move the boat on fire because there would be no access for emergency services to extinguish the fire. Instead untie and push the boats either side out of the berth to avoid the fire spreading.