JFRS warning boat owners to follow fire safety advice

The Jersey Fire and Rescue Service (JFRS) is warning boat owners ahead of the bank holiday weekend to follow fire safety advice. 

Due to the stay at home restrictions being eased, many boat owners will be eager to make the most of the long weekend and good weather in utilising their four hours to get out on the water in their boats or carry out maintenance.

The JFRS wish to encourage boat owners to consider that their boats may not have been used for some time and some basic checks and maintenance will need to be undertaken. Primarily fuel and fuel lines, together with ensuring that all safety equipment is functional and in good order.

Crew Commander, Phil Falle commented: “Fire prevention is always the primary protection from fire on boats. However should a fire break out or a carbon monoxide escape occur, the critical survival factor will be the presence of suitable working smoke and CO alarms. 

“Smoke from a boat fire will affect the ability to breathe, a sensation similar to drowning. With two to three breaths of toxic smoke the boat user could be unconscious. A working smoke and separate carbon monoxide alarm of the right type can warn very quickly of the danger and buy precious seconds to escape.”  

Advice on choosing alarms suitable for boats, including a current list from the manufacturers, can be found on this Boat Safety Scheme web page.

The JFRS have produced a boating safety checklist for boat owners to use to keep them safe.