Shipboard fire-fighting organisation; constant vigilance; actions on board
Governing: STCW Table A-VI/1-2; REG Yacht Code Annex C; MSN 1865 sections 3.3 and 4.5. Builds on: L1.2.
The certificate
MSN 1865 requires, for an FPFF certificate of proficiency, age at least 16 and completion of training at an MCA-approved provider to the Table A-VI/1-2 standard. The update is due every 5 years. Unlike PST, none of the FPFF update can be earned on board: MSN 1865 section 4.5 requires a 7-hour MCA-approved shore course. Advanced Fire Fighting builds on FPFF, and updating AFF requires updating FPFF too.
Prevention is a habit
Table A-VI/1-2 speaks of "the need for constant vigilance". On a yacht that means:
| Area | Habit |
|---|---|
| Housekeeping | No rubbish in escape routes; bins emptied; stores tidy; oily rags in metal bins |
| Galley | Never leave cooking unattended; clean hoods and filters; know where the fire blanket and fuel shut-off are |
| Laundry | Clean lint filters every cycle; report scorching or tripping |
| Electrical | No daisy-chained extension leads; report damaged cables; unplug heat-producing kit |
| Smoking | Only in designated areas; proper ashtrays; never in cabins |
| Hot work | Permit to work, fire watch, and checks after the work ends |
| Fire doors | Never wedge them open; report defective closers |
| Batteries | Charge only in approved places (L4.3) |
CAUTION — Refit is the dangerous season Contractors, hot work, open decks, isolated detection and dismantled systems. More yachts burn in yards than at sea.
Rounds and reporting
Watchkeepers make fire rounds, especially at night and in port with guests aboard. Report anything unusual immediately: smell of burning, hot bulkheads, smoke, unusual noises from equipment. A false alarm costs minutes; an ignored smell can cost the yacht.
The organisation
The yacht's fire response is laid out in:
- the fire control plan, showing fire divisions, detection, extinguishers, hydrants, fixed systems, ventilation controls and escape routes;
- the muster list, allocating each crew member a role: fire party, boundary cooling, BA wearers, guest management, communications, first aid;
- the safety management system procedures.
A typical yacht fire organisation:
| Team | Led by | Task |
|---|---|---|
| Command | Master on the bridge | Overall control, communications, decisions |
| Attack team | Chief officer or senior officer | BA wearers, hoses, extinguishers |
| Support team | Engineer | Fire pump, isolation of fuel, ventilation and electrics, fixed systems |
| Boundary team | Bosun or deck crew | Cooling adjacent spaces, closing openings |
| Guest and first aid team | Chief stew | Guest muster, head count, casualty care |
Drills
REG Yacht Code Annex C requires each crew member to take part in a fire drill every month, planned to practise the different emergencies that may occur. Each includes:
- reporting to stations and preparing for duties;
- starting a fire pump and using at least two jets of water;
- checking the fireman's outfits and personal rescue equipment;
- checking communications;
- checking watertight doors, fire doors, fire dampers and ventilation openings in the drill area;
- checking arrangements for subsequent abandonment.
Equipment used is restored immediately; defects are fixed as soon as possible.
TIP — Vary the scenario Laundry at 0300, garage battery on charge, guest cabin during charter. The same drill every month teaches only that drill.