Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

at 28/06/2

Cornwall County Fire Brigade, the RNLI, Truro Harbour Master and the Falmouth Harbour Commissioner are working together to ensure that boat owners minimise the risk of personal injury and injury to other coastal and inland waterway users.

The number of boat fires on our coastal and inland waters is relatively low however, when they do occur they quite often have devastating consequences.

Divisional Officer Mark Boeck said: “To ensure that our waterways remain a safe place to live, work and travel we would like boat owners to take heed of the following safety tips:

What to do if fire breaks out….
• Act quickly – have everybody ready to leave the craft and get them off the boat as soon as you can

• Call the Fire Brigade – we’ll need your location, use landmarks if possible

• Turn off gas cylinders valves and close any fuel system valves that are safe to reach

• Warn the occupants of adjacent craft, the harbour navigation authority and marina staff as appropriate
• Remember the risk of accidents happening is greater when alcohol has been consumed

• If in doubt get out, stay out, dial 999

To receive a free ‘Sea Safety check’ boat owners should contact the RNLI on freephone 0800 328 0600 or email sea_safety@rnli.org.uk. The aim of the sea safety check is to raise awareness of the dangers of fire and other safety issues in an informal and friendly way.