Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

100 metres from Quayside, Falmouth Docks, Falmouth at 05/07/2010 20:52

Firefighters from Falmouth were mobilised following a call from Falmouth Coastguard reporting a fire in the engine room of a pilot boat. The boat was afloat and approximately 100 metres from the quayside. Both Falmouth Lifeboats had also been tasked to assist, along with the Falmouth Coastguard Rescue Team.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus were transported by lifeboat to the pilot boat and commenced boundary cooling. The firefighting system in the engine room had already been operated by the boat's crew and the engine room was sealed to prevent any escalation of the fire.

The pilot boat was towed by lifeboat to Queen's Wharf where, once alongside, boundary cooling continued. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus then entered the engine room to confirm that the fire was out.

A thermal imaging camera was used to monitor the temperature within the engine room, whilst cooling continued and a positive pressure ventilation fan was used to vent the smoke from the boat. The lifeboats and Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service's own rigid-hulled inflatable boat provided safety cover for the fire crews working on board, until the engine room had been cooled enough to be deemed safe.

The quick, effective action of the boat's crew and the swift, combined response of the Coastguard, Royal National Lifeboat Institution and Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service, undoubtedly prevented escalation to a far more serious incident.