STEPS TO FIGHTING FIRES ABOARD SHIP:
The crew member discovering the fire should take the following action:
1. Before leaving the scene, if you can close the door, cover, or damper through which the fire was discovered. If a vent switch is handy shut it off but do not waste time looking for it if you do not know where it is.
2. Notify the bridge of the fire. If there is a sound powered phone or dial phone handy, use it. Otherwise, run to the bridge or the engine room, whichever is closest, and notify them of the fire. Keep in mind that the engine room has a sound powered phone to the bridge as well as a general alarm actuator. Pass the following information:
a. Location of fire-by compartment number if possible or by verbal description or use of the compartment.
b. Type of fire-class of the fire if known.
3. Return to the scene of the fire after passing the word. Keep in mind that the witness knows more about the fire at that moment than any other crew member on the ship. The witness should take charge at the scene until an officer arrives to take over.
1. Keep the fire from spreading. In the case of a major fire it is important to keep the fire from spreading even if the fire cannot be fought directly. Later as more crew members arrive on the scene an attack can begin. Set boundaries around the fire area:
a. Break out the fire hoses around the area and begin cooling down the boundary bulkheads, the deck area that is the overhead for the compartment on fire, and the overhead of the compartment below, which is the deck of the compartment on fire. Even if the fire cannot be fought directly later on, the fire will not spread once boundaries have been set.
b. Clear flammables away from the boundary bulkheads. Remember that the steel bulkheads surrounding the compartment on fire will get red hot as the fire burns on and any nearby combustible may be in danger of igniting. The combustibles need only be moved away from the bulkheads. Later as more crew members show up these combustibles can be moved farther away.
c. Continue making closures and shutting off ventilation. Locate all vent switches and shut them down. Close covers to vent openings, close portholes, skylights, and any additional rear doors that may still be open.
On the Bridge
Once the word has been received on the bridge, take the following action:
1. Ring the general alarm bell with the signal for Fire and Emergency and at the same time give this signal on the ship's whistle. The signal for Fire and Emergency is the continuous ringing of the ship's general alarm bell for at least 10 seconds supplemented by the same signal on the ship's whistle.
2. Shut down the ventilation for the area involved using the master shut-down switches on the bridge. have a master shut-off switch located on the bridge. This includes vent systems for the berthing spaces, engine room, and the cargo spaces.
3. Start taking notes on what is happening. Jot down the time, the name of the witness if known, the location of the fire, and the type of fire. On the navigation work sheet mark off the ship's position at the time of occurrence. Note this position in the notes. The master will want all of this information when he gets on the bridge.
