Refuelling safety vital in preventing boat fires  

27 January 2012

Transport Safety Victoria (TSV) is reminding people of the dangers of refuelling powerboats, houseboats and personal water craft, after two people were injured when their house boat caught fire
while refuelling on Lake Eildon today.

TSV’s Director of Maritime Safety, Peter Corcoran, said refuelling is a potentially hazardous part of boating and it is important to take care and to follow the correct procedures.

“Fuel fires spread very quickly, so it is important that you have fire protection equipment readily available,” Mr Corcoran said.

“Boat fires are very serious and can lead to disastrous consequences, so the key is to know how to prevent them, and if they start, know how to respond.”

Boaters should follow these safety tips:
• Do not smoke at any stage
• Switch off the engine and turn off all potential sources of flame, such as; pilot lights, gas refrigerators, electrical equipment and mobile phones
• Remove all passengers from the boat when refuelling
• Petrol fumes are denser than air and difficult to detect. Be alert to the smell of petrol
• Do not overfill the tank
• Clean up any fuel spill
• Only allow passengers on the vessel after the engine has been restarted
• Carry fire protection safety equipment, including; portable fire extinguishers, fire blankets, bucket with lanyard, fixed fire extinguishing systems.

TSV and Metropolitan Fire Brigade held a boating safety seminar on preventing and responding to fires at the Eildon Boat Club on 12 January 2012. The boat fires seminar will be repeated at the
Port of Melbourne Training Centre, Lorimer Street, Port Melbourne on Wednesday 28 March 2012 at 6.30pm.

For more information about boating safety seminars or safe boating please telephone 1800 223 022 or visit www.transportsafety.vic.gov.au/maritime-safety.

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