A SAFETY SUMMARY FOR BOATING

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33093, 7 December 1972, Page 5

A SAFETY SUMMARY FOR BOATING

Safe boating is no accident, the small boat safety committee of the Marine Department points out in compiling the safety rules above. Safe boating is happy boating is another slogan for the holidays that begin in a fortnight and extend through January and into February. The committee has printed 100,000 transfer stickers containing the 10 golden rules for safety. Equipment All boats should carry sufficient equipment to ensure minimum safety standards are met. The wise boat owner will see his craft is equipped to meet minimum safety standards.

In any waters in which a craft is being used for pleasure purposes it should have on board the following items AT LEAST—(I) A secondary method of propulsion such as spare oars for a small boat, or a spare outboard engine for a power launch, or sails.

(2) Fire-fighting equipment. (3) A bailing device. This could be a bucket or pump. (4) Buoyant equipment, filled with kapok or similar material and covered with plastic, sufficient to provide buoyancy for the number of persons in the boat. Or preferably a life jacket for each person in the boat within easy reach. (5) A spare plug for the draining hole (if fitted). (6) Distress signals to attract attention when assistance is required. The list is a minimum one and must be carried even in sheltered waters not far from shore. Fire prevention Points to prevent fire or explosion: Do not use petrol for cleaning purposes. Use clean cotton rags for cleaning. Dispose of dangerous greasy rags. Carburettors on petrol engines should be fitted with wire-gauze covered drip trays. Flame traps should be fitted in the air intakes. Clean the drip trays before starting the engine. Properly ventilated bilges and engine spaces are absolutely essential to the safe operation of any motor launch or yacht. Petrol

vapour and cooking gas vapour are both heavier than air and will accumulate in the lowest part of the launch. Ventilation trunks should lead right down in the bilges to ensure that any vapour collected there will be discharged to the atmosphere. Ventilation Before starting up a petrol engine, open all doors and vents, etc., leading into or out of the engine compartment and allow the space to ventilate for at least five minutes before starting up. Fit a cover over the batteries so that tools or other metal objects cannot fall on to the terminals and cause a spark. Do not strike matches, smoke, or use kerosene or other open flame lamps inside the engine space. Inspect fuel tanks frequently and test them periodically to ensure that they do not leak. Where leaks have been caused by corrosion of the tanks, do not try and patch things up. Replace the tank — it is cheaper than replacing the launch or yacht.

Filling pipes Filling pipes for fuel tanks should be led from near the bottom of the tank to the open deck outside of cockpits and coamings so that any spillage of fuel will run overboard and not down to the bilges. Be sure the filling pipe covers are a good fit. A vent pipe should be fitted to each fuel tank of the same size as the filling pipe and should be led from the top of the tank to the outside of the hull with the outlet covered with wire gauze. Do not overfill fuel tanks. Leave some space for expansion of the fuel. Fire extinguishers should be kept outside the engine space in places where they can be reached from the open deck, so that in the event of a fire the extinguishers are accessible and the fire can be fought from a safe position. Make sure engine exhausts and uptakes are properly insulated and are not liable to scorch or set fire to nearby woodwork. Check wiring Petrol stoves are not recommended for use in boats. Gas stoves should be kept clean and checked frequently to see that there are no leaks in the gas lines. When not in use, be sure gas stoves are properly switched off. Check the electrical wiring periodically and replace any frayed or worn electric cables, broken plugs, and lamp holders, etc. Generators and all switches should be as far as possible above the bilge. Do not overfuse electrical circuits, as this will cause cable to overheat, and insulation will bum. Oilsoaked insulation rapidly deteriorates. Keep the boat clean and free from inflammable rubbish such as dirty waste, rags, loose oil, and grease, etc. Finally, remember that most petrol and gas leaks start in a small way end

only constant and thorough inspection can reveal them before the danger stage.