Boats stored for long periods in the water are at risk for fire. There are several things you can do to reduce the risk of fire while your boat is stored for the winter.
A recent fire in my marina reinforced the fact that many boaters don't fully understand the risks of improper preparation of their vessel for long-term in-water storage. We discussed some of the issues related to this problem in the article entitled Boat Winterizing and Dry Storage, but didn't dwell on fire specific safety issues.
Your marina should have a set of polices and procedures that clearly spell out the standards in place for use of shore power cords, electric heaters, battery charging, and general fire safety. Principles for marina fire safety are established by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 303, Fire Protection Standard for Marinas and Boatyards. Ask your marina operator about their facility fire safety plan and understanding of NFPA 303. Harbormasters can offer a great deal of practical advice on how to protect your vessel. You can view a copy of my marina's plan in PDF form at the Valdez Harbor web page.
Shore power cords need to be designed for marine use. Typical household extension cords are not acceptable. Marine powers plugs should be built to the standards of NFPA 303 and designed to resist being inadvertently inserted into the wrong type of electrical service. The plugs have circular blades and are made to lock into the electrical receptacle by twisting them after insertion. Cords must be continuous in length, have no splices, and carry no less than 15 amps. Use of approved cords will reduce stray current problems and reduce the chance of fire.
Check and service your installed heating system. Faulty electrical heaters destroy boats every year and fires can easily spread to neighboring vessels. Portable electric heaters must be equipped with a switch that will cut the power if the heater is overturned. Infrared heating lamps can only be used with porcelain type sockets. Check the functioning of onboard circuit breakers and electrical service panels.
Battery chargers can cause fires. Avoid use of any automotive type battery charger on your boat. If you need to leave lead-acid storage batteries on your boat for the winter, ensure:
- The battery compartment is well ventilated
- The charger used is listed by Underwriter's Labs (UL) or a similar organization
- The power connection consists of a three-wire cord, with not less than #14 AWG conductors connecting it to 120 volt single phase current with a control switch and circuit protection
- No other device is connected to the load side of the charger. The charger should be on its own circuit
- The charger enclosure is properly connected to the ground conducter
Check with your harbor for local fire safety standards practiced at your facility. A little preparation can greatly improve vessel safety and your peace of mind. There are many people in the boating industry willing to help you if asked.
